Workshop life! Testing and replacing a Defender R380 reverse switch

[@radsy5821]

It's a pain to do, but paying hundreds in labour to get a switch replaced is more painful for some. Thanks for the walkthrough Mike, time for me to track this down on mine - RHD with aircon and bullbar :)

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Glad to help

[@JuanPierreOosthuizen]

Well explained, i recently done my center diff lock lamp switch and it works good now, but the other issue i have is the gearbox switch with the econoseal on, the switch that apparently tells my Landy when its in low or high range. how would one tell if that switch is going

[@BritannicaRestorations]

The High low switch is a nightmare to do in situ - if it is in a defender I take the plastic great box cover offThe connectors on the switch work lose and make bad contacts - always fit a genuine or OEM - the cheap ones are rubbishHowever the econoseal is on the reverse - the Hi low has a ground to the transfer case and a Black with a blue trace to the harness - with a single connectorCannot recall the Disco one at the moment.. Mike

[@ericsmith5683]

Mike - is there any adjustments for the switch?? Or is it just screw it in and you are good to go?

[@BritannicaRestorations]

No adjustments - when they go worn they are finished - get an OEM switch if possible

[@ericsmith5683]

Odd…reverse gear works. Reverse switch wasn’t closing when in reverse. Pulled switch and it closes fine when the button is pressed on the end of the switch. I’ll keep chasing it out

[@BritannicaRestorations]

I have seen this before - the pin is not hitting the lever that activates the switch - try remove the washer and put some silicone on the thread to see if it works

[@ericsmith5683]

@@BritannicaRestorations I ended up getting a CDU51 and it worked. It was about 4mm longer than the AMR3918

[@douglasnewton7198]

Just made the diagnosis. Fortunately it's RHD and no Airco. The pain is that it blows the fuse every time i go in reverse, and therefore there's no Stop lights. When I put it back I will split the circuits and fit a separate fuse. On my other car, a 1970 MGB the reverse switch is to earth, so when it shorts you just have to temporarily remove the bulb.

[@MrSlick145]

Get a vortex socket set. I did mine in 5 mins from underneath 👍

[@bobp6742]

Should just put a separate toggle switch on

[@myysterio2]

This person doesn't deserve to get their Defender back.... Abominable