Technical HELP! Ducato thinks it is in reverse constantly!

[Phazaar]

Just got back to the van, turned the key, sudden beeping from the rear parking sensors (despite being in neutral) and the reverse light on. Tried shifting gears a and a few off->on cycles in different gears. Nothing seems to work.

Can anyone help? I’m late! ?

 

[Joiner]

See what you have said but does the van only move in reverse, or is it only lights and noises that are your problem ?

 

[rayc]

Sounds like the reversing light switch is stuck on if the gear selection is working ok.

 

[Phazaar]

See what you have said but does the van only move in reverse, or is it only lights and noises that are your problem ?

Gear selection works fine, so it sounds like this stuck switch... My question being where is that switch and what can be done? I’m having very little luck haha!

 

[Joiner]

The switch is on top of the gearbox, if I remember.

Simply unplug it and get it changed later. Just be careful when reversing knowing that no one can see reversing lights.

 

[Phazaar]

The switch is on top of the gearbox, if I remember.

Simply unplug it and get it changed later. Just be careful when reversing knowing that no one can see reversing lights.

Forgive me but can you be more specific? When you say ‘on top’ - how do I access it?

 

[Joiner]

If you open the bonnet and look to the right down behind the airfilter box you will see the gearlinkage etc. The switch is in there.
If you remove the airfilter box, which is only some screws, you will get better access.

In the worst case, if you can`t do it yourself it only means you will be driving to the garage with reversing lights on a beeper making a noise.

 

[Phazaar]

If you open the bonnet and look to the right down behind the airfilter box you will see the gearlinkage etc. The switch is in there.
If you remove the airfilter box, which is only some screws, you will get better access.

In the worst case, if you can`t do it yourself it only means you will be driving to the garage with reversing lights on a beeper making a noise.

Thanks so much! Just ran over on my lunchbreak and found it a few seconds into looking. It was obscured by the air filter, like you said!

It was completely soaked, despite the rest of the engine being bone dry, so not quite sure where that's come from, but for now drying it out and giving it a wiggle has it working perfectly again. Hoping that's all it'll need as removing it looks like it'll need a reeeeally long socket to navigate the plate that half covers it. I think I'll grab a replacement 'just in case' for Christmas and hope it's not necessary.

 

[rayc]

The water may be from the heater fresh air intake drain which empties onto the top of the gearbox.

 

[RS3100]

The water may be from the heater fresh air intake drain which empties onto the top of the gearbox.

My (2016) van has an extended intake drain tube which runs down the bulkhead and diverts the overflow out behind the gearbox. I don't know the part number, but would assume it could be purchased from Fiat/Citroen/Peugeot to replace the earlier version. Also hopefully prevents the water getting inside the gearbox and associated problems!