Location Reversing switch sensor

[WarthogARJ]

Hi,
I'm trying to get my reversing lights working, and think the switch on gear box is faulty.
Rear lights replaced, fuses OK.

I have a beat-up 2nd/3rd/3th hand UK 2004 Transit short wheel base van: FWD, RHD.

Transit 260
FrontWheel Drive
Right Hand Drive
Supplied with 2.0L Duratorq DI(100PS), replaced by...(see below)
Prodn Oct 2004

The original engine seized, and had another put in: is possible replacement one isn't exactly same as original.
Dunno how I'd tell?
But can that vary by much and still fit?

Searched this forum and Google and didn't find any reverse light switch sensors information that matches my beast.
Traced possible wires, and one is gearbox speed sensor (removed and checked).

Other doesn't SEEM to match the replacement reversing sensors sold (didn't remove it).
The electrical plug for it definitely doesn't match the what I can find as supposed reversing switch replacements: see photos.

Ebay and local parts guy have this as a replacement: but doesn't seem to match any wiring connection, or shape of anything on mine(?!).
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rear-Reverse ... Sw5wBZhLq2

Perhaps the lights weren't actually hooked up when I bought it: I've never checked.
And I suspect MOT didn't either.
I'm more of a motorbike guy: so reversing isn't really anything that seems important...:-}
But maybe next MOT guy disagrees.

Any ideas?
Thanks,
Alan

[Punto443]

The reverse switch for the fwd 5sp is built into the selector mechanism mounted in the top of the gear box

It can be seen in this thread here.
viewtopic.php?f=18&t=111349

[WarthogARJ]

Thanks Punto!
So I suspect that this electrical connector plug is from that?
The wires were cut: as shown.

IMG_2483.jpg

This was in the area you described.

And if so, the plug doesn't fit any of the reversing switch spare parts I've got.

I'll have another look in the light.

But maybe the switch is still OK, and I just need to reconnect up the wires.
I guess I can test the wires by wiring up to my ohm meter and seeing if it opens/closes as I shift in to reverse.

If so, the NEXT thing will be finding where the wires are SUPPOSED to go.

From the attached, it seems they go straight to the rear: green wires, labelled as "1".
Seem right?

Transit wiring.tiff

[WarthogARJ]

I was trying to Edit my last post: dunno why I cannot seem to do it this time.

Anyways, some success.
The Reversing Switch with the cut wires DOES work: in Reverse gear it goes to ±2 ohms, rest time open circuit.

And I've located the right wires and the back for the Reversing Lights: seems to need the actual ground wire and doesn't work be using the body...strange.
Anyways, I tested with another 12V battery, and I get it to light up.

So the ideal/neatest solution is to find the ends of the wires that were cut on my body.
And connect to the cut wires on the 2nd hand engine that was put in.

But so far, cannot see them.

Brute force way is just run another set of wires to the back lights, connecting up the Reversing Switch on the gear box, and direct to 12V and ground.
With a fuse.

I'll take a few photos and post when I'm done in case it helps someone else.
But thanks for the help so far Transit guys.

Alan
Sheffield is for those who REALLY like sheep....:-0

Thanks Punto!
So I suspect that this electrical connector plug is from that?
The wires were cut: as shown.

IMG_2483.jpg

This was in the area you described.

And if so, the plug doesn't fit any of the reversing switch spare parts I've got.

I'll have another look in the light.

But maybe the switch is still OK, and I just need to reconnect up the wires.
I guess I can test the wires by wiring up to my ohm meter and seeing if it opens/closes as I shift in to reverse.

If so, the NEXT thing will be finding where the wires are SUPPOSED to go.

From the attached, it seems they go straight to the rear: green wires, labelled as "1".
Seem right?

Transit wiring.tiff

[Punto443]

Engine change?

My moneys on the reverse light switch wires being trapped between the engine and box!

[WarthogARJ]

Yeah, this poor old Transit van has had an abused past.
The monkeys I bought it from seem to have botched some maintenance and put the timing chain on badly.
So it blew up a bit later: at least that's the best theory to date, I didn't bother stripping it down after.

The the guys who swapped in the 2nd hand engine weren't very careful.
Lots of stuff not connected:
- Glow plugs
- Reversing switch
- Missing bolts
etc etc

So the replacement engine just had the wires cut off the sensors, and only "essential" ones were reconnected.
I only saw this now.
Before i'd been sort-of ignoring things.
Like turn the radio louder if your engine starts making noises.....

Engine change?

My moneys on the reverse light switch wires being trapped between the engine and box!

[WarthogARJ]

Aha!!
OK, the "Case of the Wrong Reversing Switches" is solved.
The ones that I pictured first are for the RWD transmission: MT75 I think is the type.

But MINE is FWD, and is a VXT75 transmission.
And these won't fit.

It seems all of the UK based Ford Transit parts finders are wrong: they all claim these will fit.
Maybe there are lots of other errors too.

You really have an uphill struggle with the documentation for the Ford Transit: it's REALLY poor.
Like the actual vehicle is pretty simple, and except for a major rust issue, it's not that badly designed.
Parts are cheap, lots of 2nd hand stuff, friendly forums: that's all good.

I'm from a motorbike background: BMW HP2 Enduro.
And BMW has a very good parts system, with accessible on-line fiche.
And manuals that actually relate to your vehicle.

I can see from other forum posts that just this one mistake has messed up lots of people.

Ford doesn't seem to have a consistent parts number system.
With BMW if you have the part number you know what vehicle it fits, and vice versa.

And both manufacturers make LOTS of things: the GS1200 is the world's biggest selling big bike.
And BMW has been going for about as long as Ford has, with lots of design changes etc etc.

I assume BMW cars are just as organized as the motorbike side.