What is this switch?

[Brooky]

Whilst under my van, checking for clutch fluid leaks, I found a wiring connector hanging down on the nearside (passenger side) of the gearbox. The connector had not come disconnected in the normal way but it appears that the switch part has corroded off and is still connected to the wiring. The remainder of the switch seems to be in the side of the gearbox, in a housing protruding from and bolted to, the gearbox casing. I've surmised this because I can feel a spring loaded pin in the housing. Is this the reverse light switch? My van has a 5 speed gearbox by the way.
Also, I noticed that if I press in this pin with the engine running, it stops the engine dead. Is that normal for a reverse light switch?

Brooky.

[kevtherev]

Yes that's the reverse light switch
it turns on the lights when you engage reverse..and that's all it should do.

[Brooky]

Well that's what I thought, especially as the bit left in the gearbox has no electrical feed to it at the moment. How the hell can it stop the engine?

Brooky.

[kevtherev]

Well that's what I thought, especially as the bit left in the gearbox has no electrical feed to it at the moment. How the hell can it stop the engine?

Brooky.

beats me, just don't press it again

[captain Byrne]

Hidden kill switch?

[Oldiebut goodie]

Did it knock the gearbox into gear and it stalled? Other than that random thought I am bamboozled also!