Thank you all for your responses. After an hour of fiddling with offset screwdrivers etc and using special swear words, my friend Mr. A. Grinder and I made a neat access hole in the top of the transmission tunnel.

30 seconds later the switch was off, it turned out that the little spring contact inside was pristine...it didn't work because the switch case was installed the wrong way.....thaaaanks previous owner.

Bit of a clean, splodge of instant gasket, and presto...problem solved. Nice new cover plate from a bit of steel and no one will ever know the difference...

And I soldered the connector onto the switch too....don't want that bad boy coming off.

Admittedly, I was a bit reluctant to hack a hole in my car, but given the rough life it has led prior to my TLC I did not feel so bad. Had it been a concourse vehicle it would have been different :-)

I can't figure out how to upload a picture but if anyone wants reverse light switch porn let me know and I will send you one.

AndrewofPA