(Inhibitor) switch for starter motor & reversing lights for DS23 Auto EFI

kenlin

Member
Fellow Frogger
Joined
May 31, 2011
Messages
150
Location
Leonay, NSW
Has anyone experienced troubles with this switch, attached to the RHS of the auto gearbox, very close to the dipstick tube? Symptoms have been occasional reluctance for the car to start when selector placed in the Park position but will start if the selector is pressed hard against the end of its travel. (Car would always start from the solenoid near the battery). And the reversing lights have stopped coming on when they should. There seem to be other switches for Borg Warner 35 gearboxes advertised on the web, esp for British auto cars (Jaguars) of the period. Does any one know if these are compatible with the DS23 B/W boxes. Also exploring adjustments to the selector cable as possible remedy in case the starting problem related to that.
Thanks for any advice.
Ken
 
Ken - sounds like the switch adjustment is out of alignment. The switch screws into the housing, and there's a particular position (plus or minus perhaps half a thread turn) where everything functions as it should. When it's misaligned, you get the start inhibitor and reverse light symptoms you describe.

And yes, the standard BW35 switch will work. If adjustment doesn't work for you, try to find a NOS switch - I've had two modern re-creations fail.
 
Thanks for that Nigel. I have had the switch out and it seemed to work OK on bench testing but I may have overtightened it when replacing it yesterday. That could also explain the problem with the reversing lights. Not a lot of fun getting down to it!
 
Take the switch to an auto transmission service shop, and ask them if other BW switches are the same.
If they are anything like the auto specialist in Tamworth, they probably have dozens lying around in a big pile out the back.
 
Take the switch to an auto transmission service shop, and ask them if other BW switches are the same.
If they are anything like the auto specialist in Tamworth, they probably have dozens lying around in a big pile out the back.
Good idea Bob. Worth a try. There were a lot of English cars from the 70s using B-W35 auto. I'll follow up with that.
Thanks
Ken
 
Thanks for suggestions Nigel and Bob. Denton Christie and Jason Hantos were able to assist with replacement switch. Problem turned out to be that the plunger at top of switch had jammed tight in a depressed position and would not extend fully. All well now with replacement switch. Ken
 
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