Hi All,
Update; the new sensor arrived this week, first checked it with a magnet to make sure it was working properly before fitting it, all good, next I set about removing the old one, that however took longer than originally intended, due to it being completely stuck, it had obviously been in there a long time, and the UK weather being what it is tends to corrode much of what's underneath over time, anyway, I was hoping to get the old one out in one piece to examine it, however; after much lubrication, and plenty of prying it eventually came out unfortunately in bits [see attached picks] anyway, after cleaning out the recess in the gearbox housing, the new sensor was gently tapped into place, next I threaded the new wiring into the rear tunnel compartment, now for the test, placing my multi-meter set on ohms on the two new connectors from the sensor, I managed to move the car back and fore a small distance each way, which was enough to move the magnets in the gearbox across the sensor and make the reed switch inside open and close as expected, so even though I haven't driven the car yet to be absolutely certain everything is fine, I am quietly confident!
Ant.
PS, The oil on the side of the gearbox near the drive shaft flange is penetrating oil and not a gearbox oil leak! 