I'm posting this up for a fellow Cooper owner, one of you guys brethren.

Reverse light switch - Help!!

Hello,

So I need some help installing the switch. I posted in the "exterior forum" and received a lot of help, now I have the new switch and have tried to get the old one out but cant. Specs.... 2002 Cooper 5 speed. I can actually get to the old switch, but can't unscrew it in the small space. Here's what I did... I wasn't able to get the air filter case off, just the top because the cases nuts are under something and I cant get to the nut to hold it while I unscrew the screws. After I got the top of the air filter off I squeezed my arm in there and unplugged the switch, but couldn't get to the nut on the switch to unscrew it. The space is so small I cant get a tool in there, well I can get a tool in there, there is just no place to go once I'm in there. Any suggestions? Is there a way around the air filter case or a tip on how to get it out? Please help, I am so close it is frustrating and my arm is all scratched up.
Does anyone know how to take off the air filter housing? I can’t seem to get the nuts to hold them still while I unscrew the nut.
Thanks,

Dell

 

I don't have direct experience with this, but here are the official instructions from the BMW TIS service CD-ROM.

 

Anyone with any tips?

 

You'll have to pull the airbox and possibly the battery box to get to the switch... Once you have those out, you'll have easy access to the reverse switch!