back up lights

[handyherr]

question.... when in reverse with ignition on (engine not running) the back up lights do not come on. What should i chase down first..... switch in the trani?

Thanks
Renee

[HarveyH]

As with all older cars, first make sure the bulbs themselves are good and the bulb sockets are clean. Then make sure the ground connections are clean.
Then disconnect the leads to the switch and ohm check the switch operation (Not in reverse = very high resistance; In reverse = low, approaching zero resistance).
If the switch works, there is a fault in the power to the switch (possibly T-12 - T13 connector or Fuse S9). (See the appropriate electrical diagram for your year car in the Pelican Tech Info pages)
If the switch does not work it could either be the switch itself OR I believe there is a small pin which fits into the side of the transmission that activates the switch. I have heard these pins are NLA, but I could be wrong, and they should be easy to fabricate.

Harvey

[luskesq]

When I had your problem in stead of using the ohm meter (although that works also), I put it in reverse with key on and used my volt meter with the leads disconnected from the switch. After confirming voltage coming to the switch I pulled it along with the pin and tested the switch using the pin to activate it with my ohm meter. That confirmed that I had a bad switch. The pins do wear however and after locating the part # in a PET catalog I was able to find several places that carried them. Can't recall if our host did or not.

Good luck,

Keith