GUIDE:How to replace the Reverse Light Switch on the gearbox

[gatos]

This guide is for the replacement of the Reverse Light Switch on the Volvo M56 manual gearbox. You can tell if you have the M56 gearbox, if the reverse is below the 5th gear on your gear knob. If you have the Renault M3P or M5P gearbox (the reverse is on the left of the 1st gear on the gear knob), then the location of the sensor and the procedure is different. If your reverse lights are not working or sometimes work after wiggling the gear lever, then it is most probably due to a faulty Reverse Light Switch.


Tools needed:

• Rachet with small extension
• 8mm, 10mm, 13mm and 18mm sockets
• 22mm deep socket
• Trolley Jack
• Torque wrench

Before you get started, make sure you have the anti-theft radio code

The reverse light switch is located under the gearbox mounting bracket, which will have to be undone. The mounting bracket supports the weight of the gearbox on that end so we will need to place a trolley jack under the gearbox and raise it just enough so it just supports its weight.


The job can be done without removing the battery, but I personally chose to remove it out of the way in order to have more space and better access. First of all, you will need to remove the battery clamp (red circle) and disconnect the two terminals (yellow circle).


Unplug the connector to the MAF sensor (Red arrow). Loosen the jubilee clip using the 8mm socket (green arrow) and pull out the hose. You can also use a flat blade screw driver to undo the jubilee clip screw). Undo the four clips (yellow arrow) securing the top cover of the air filter box and remove it. Depending on the model of your car, you may have to unclip some more wiring looms or hoses attached to the air filter box.



Undo these two 10mm bolts and remove the bottom half of the air filter box.



You can now see the gearbox mounting bracket. The reverse light switch is under it. Loosen the 18mm nut (green arrow) but DO not remove it. Undo and remove the 3 13mm bolts (red arrows).



You can now swivel the gearbox mount out of the way and you will see the reverse light switch. Disconnect the connector and use the 22mm deep socket to undo the switch.




Replace with new reverse light switch and tighten to 25Nm. Plug the connector back on. Swivel down the gearbox mount and Tighten the 3 13mm bolts of the gearbox mounting at 50Nm. Be careful not to over torque these 3 bolts too much, because otherwise you risk damaging the aluminium treads on the gearbox. Then tighten the 18mm bolt to 98Nm.


Follow this guide in the reverse order to put everything else back together. Good luck

I have also attached a Pdf of this guide below, as well as the official VIDA instructions

[ww1dm1]

Great guide! One question, though. When the gearbox mount is undone, does the gearbox need some kind of support from below?

EDIT: YES, obviously, it states it in the beginning, completely missed it.

[ITSv40]

Gatos, Another purrfect guide as always.

[gatos]

Originally Posted by ITSv40

Gatos, Another purrfect guide as always.

Thanks, but it is an old one.....

[allesnikj]

Thanks for posting this Gatos, it's as clear as a bell. Could you pm me? I'm trying to get you but need 30 posts and this is only my second!

[gatos]

Originally Posted by allesnikj

Thanks for posting this Gatos, it's as clear as a bell. Could you pm me? I'm trying to get you but need 30 posts and this is only my second!

Will PM you my email. You can post in this thread: http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=99800 and ask the mods to lift your limit for PMs

[Brainstorm]

Hello,

Just registered at this forum today, looking exactly for this.
Before creating a new thread, used the search function, and on some threads people mentioned you created a guide on how to do this.

Thank you for this

Let me explain a bit why I was looking for this.

My wife has a V40 1.9D 115cv 2002 manual gearbox, and few days back she complained that the parking sensors ain´t working anymore. Few days later I took the chance that she wasn´t using it and went check it out. Well all seemed ok. Putted it in reverse gear and heard the bip... and all was working. So I didn´t bothered with it again.

Today my car went exchange the tyres, so I used her van to go out, and well, right when I was reversing to the house garage, it happen. I went reverse, putted in neutral while the garage door got open, and when I putted it in reverse to back up inside the garage, no parking sensor sounds, no reverse lights, nothing. So it´s a come and go issue. Maybe some moisture on the contacts, I don´t really know. But will check it out, now that I know what to look for.

I read somewhere, that this switch would need alignment, isn´t so? How you reckon it´s in the right position?

Thank you again for this ;-)

[neanderthal]

on mine the pins were not contacting the reverse light switch properly.so squeezed them in a bit....your switch may have gone altogether of course.

[ww1dm1]

Originally Posted by Brainstorm

Hello,

Just registered at this forum today, looking exactly for this.
Before creating a new thread, used the search function, and on some threads people mentioned you created a guide on how to do this.

Thank you for this

Let me explain a bit why I was looking for this.

My wife has a V40 1.9D 115cv 2002 manual gearbox, and few days back she complained that the parking sensors ain´t working anymore. Few days later I took the chance that she wasn´t using it and went check it out. Well all seemed ok. Putted it in reverse gear and heard the bip... and all was working. So I didn´t bothered with it again.

Today my car went exchange the tyres, so I used her van to go out, and well, right when I was reversing to the house garage, it happen. I went reverse, putted in neutral while the garage door got open, and when I putted it in reverse to back up inside the garage, no parking sensor sounds, no reverse lights, nothing. So it´s a come and go issue. Maybe some moisture on the contacts, I don´t really know. But will check it out, now that I know what to look for.

I read somewhere, that this switch would need alignment, isn´t so? How you reckon it´s in the right position?

Thank you again for this ;-)

If after some gear lever wiggling the lights do come on, it's the switch going. Keep in mind that this guide is for the M56 gearbox (reverse right and down). I don't think there is much to align on that one, it just screws in and the connector pops on. Here's a guide for the Renault boxes. Doesn't seem like there is much to align either.

[Brainstorm]

Originally Posted by neanderthal

on mine the pins were not contacting the reverse light switch properly.so squeezed them in a bit....your switch may have gone altogether of course.

That´s the old and new connector? (pre-2006 and after 2006 I guess)

Originally Posted by ww1dm1

If after some gear lever wiggling the lights do come on, it's the switch going. Keep in mind that this guide is for the M56 gearbox (reverse right and down). I don't think there is much to align on that one, it just screws in and the connector pops on. Here's a guide for the Renault boxes. Doesn't seem like there is much to align either.

There´s a part number for it?

Thank you