Reversing Lights

[Beckerman67]

 Can anyone advise on how to alter the reversing light wiring in order for them to come on without having to turn the sidelights on?
 It's a 1972 S2 1.3S.
 Thanks.

[lancialulu]

Why?

[GlynW]

I have often toyed with the same thought!  I think my reason is mainly because drivers of modern cars and pedestrians would not expect a car to reverse (in daylightor in darkness) when its reversing lights were not on.  They should be easily visible in daylight.

There ought to be a simple way of feeding the reversing switch from an ignition-controlled circuit (from Fuse 9) and if current loading is an issue, then LED bulbs could be substituted.

Any thoughts?

Glyn

[lancialulu]

I think we are responsible for other peoples safety when in control of a motor vehicle. You might as well fit one of those horrible robotic voices "Careful vehicle reversing etc etc"

Lancia thought this through and reasoned it was for driver convenience to see where he was going at night in reverse.

[lancialulu]

Robert I am sorry if you think I was being judgemental. That was not my intent. I was merely observing that the Fulvia design was fit for purpose. I would ask the same question if someone wanted to substitute a Fulvia engine with a battery and electric motor.

Glyn has a technical solution for you by the looks of things.

[fay66]

Sorry, is it me, but when I post a simple innocuous question on a Member's Forum, I expect some helpful responses from other members.
 What I don't expect are judgemental statements akin to users of Twitter and the like, especially when they are posted by the Press Officer.
 If you don't have a helpful and constructive comment I suggest you refrain from offering an unhelpful and judgemental one.

If you'd explained more fully in the first place you might have received the answers you wanted in the first place, without the no need to throw your  toys out of the pram.
Brian
8227

[GerardJPC]

Thank you for raising this question.  I am interested in the same conversion for my 1973 2000 Coupe. 

[eog]

Another good reason ?
backing car into a dark garage during the day.

[Jaydub]

Hi Robert,
I totally agree, you have to account for the things people are used to today, not 50years ago. Just because it was good idea then doesn`t mean it holds good today for everyone.
Regarding the rear lamp wiring, the switch is fed from a 6 outlet terminal block via a GREY  cable. I am not sure where it is situated under the dash but it has 2x YELLOWS, 2x BLUES,2x GREY/BLACK, 2XBLUE/BLACK, 2xWHITE/BLACK,2x WHITE & a GREY on the same terminal. Swap the GREY to the YELLOW because that feeds the stop lamp switch  and it comes from FUSE 8 (Ignition fed)
I think that should work. If not come back to me.
Regards
Jaydub.

[GlynW]

Thanks for the discussion, everybody.  I am about to dismantle my dash to address some other wiring issues, so I will make the change to the reversing lights that JayDub has suggested.  I am also replacing the courtesy (festoon) bulbs and indicators with their LED equivalents (new flasher unit also required for LED bulbs)  so will soon have a (partly) 21st C Fulvia.  While I respect Lancia engineering highly, I am much less purist when it come to Italian electrics.

While we are on electrical & dashboard issues, Tim (LanciaLulu) has previously suggested using ceramic bullet fuses, which I did not know existed.  I guess they should have  a higher melting point and lower thermal conductivity than plastic fuses and so might reduce the amount of heat that reaches, and can melt, the fuse cover.  16A ceramic fuses can be bought from Frosts for £2.65/20 (https://www.frost.co.uk/torpedo-fuses/).

I have also discovered a good supplier, Boltbase, of small quantities of bolts: https://boltbase.com/.  Very useful for small quantities of specialist items - like grub screws for knobs and small domed, countersunk bolts for lock cover plates and sill covers).

Glyn

[cyborg7]

I don't think there's any harm in a bit of gentle joshing - especially if it adds another perspective. While I'm all for improving safety, it does need to be considered in the context of how safe driving 50ish year old technology really is.