I'm fitting reversing lights cause I can. When I rebuilt the gear box it had a place for a reversing switch so I found a new one and fitted it. Now is the time to wire it in.

What is the best way to secure the wires to get from the switch to each side of the engine bay (ie back to the fuse box one side and out to the lights on the other) Cable ties to the sub frame? Is there a better option?

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

OK mate, are you running a separate +ve feed from the switch to the lights? or are the rear tail lights already wired for reversing? (purple/blue wire, I think, going to the indicators- later models have this). If so, that will life it a lot easier.

(Brain fade alert! Just realised if the car is so wired, you have a rev. switch in already! What was I thinking?)

BTW Flamethrowers make great reversing lights, if you fit a separate override switch on the dash. For those types following that won't dip their lights.
Probably illegal though!

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1967 Cooper S - new front bearings to do.
1965 Cooper S shell - Slow progress. No time or money!
1966 Deluxe- next rustoration!
Mk 2 & XJ6 Jags. Less said the better.

When I fixed my reverse lights (I have a '78 clubby which had them from the factory) I re-routed them so that they were under the carpet inside the car. The reason so many don't work is because they get damaged on the bottom of the car.

I can follow the wiring loom once I get the wire up to it -it's just getting it from the sump across to the body and finding a secure route to the loom somewhere.

Thinking maybe of tucking it out of sight and dobs of heat gun glue to hold it there.

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

Ah, sorry I presumed you meant a rod type, which has the sender at the gear lever.

On a round-nose with remote change gearbox the two wires come up from the switch on the front of the gearbox to join other wires near the bonnet lock lever, then follow the loom to the fuse box for one wire. The other wire continues on to join the main loom across the top of the firewall, then follows the rear loom all the way to the tail lights. Just tape the wires to the existing loom along the way.

A couple of reminders.

1. When you replace the reverse detent plunger with the reverse light switch you also need to include a small rod that fits inside the spring (part AYA 9155, called a plunger), otherwise the reverse mechanism won't reach the switch so it won't activate. A washer (part AYA 9156) is also used. I can give you the exact dimensions of the plunger if required.

2. If you plan to use the existing tail light assembly you will need to replace the single filament bulb holder in both turn indicators with dual filament versions, the same as the stop/tail bulb holder. Otherwise you can use a separate driving or fog light mounted somewhere appropriate.

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ex-NSW Police 1970 MK II Cooper S
VMCI #43

Thanks Winabby - switch works OK - already checked for continuity across the wires when in reverse - none when not. Not using the existing lights - I've got a couple of thin strip LED reverse lights to hang under the back bumper.

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

I wired my switch to provide earth to a relay in the boot - the earth side just goes under one of the gearbox to block bolts, the wire to the back goes under the radiator, up the firewall, through a hole and then under the carpet to the boot

It stays on when ignition is off but reversing light doubles as camping night light/work light etc. - just don't park the car and leave it in reverse.

The light is a little driving light from supercrap, it's very bright, and easy to flash with a slap against the reverse detent spring when driving along a dark road and some idiot behind wants to keep their high beams on as they approach behind me...

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?