Reverse Light Switch/Connection Options

[k21xfr]

Hey People!

I seem to be having problems with my reverse lights!

When I put the car into reverse they only work sometimes and are abit tempremental.

I assumed the issue was bulb related & thus, I've tried replacing the bulbs but this hasn't made any difference.

The only other things I can think of are, firstly, to replace the reverse light switch!?.
Or maybe there is a bad earth somewhere that I need to repair!?

However, I have been told that the reverse light switch rarely fail.

In any case, I need some info on where the reverse light switch is located & how to repair it. If anyone has had the same issues, please feel free to post any advice relating to the issue.

Also, Any chance of pictures being posted, so I can get a good idea as to where the switch is?

Thanks

[Coomer]

The reverse light switch is in the tranny on manual transmission cars...I'm not sure on automatics. Which transmission and engine do you have?

[Bitter]

for automatics the switch is also inside the trans, theres a wire harness with 6 wires that runs to the front of the trans and has a large gray or black connector. 2 heavy black and black/white stripe wires are for igniton (only start in park/nuetral) and the others are to tell the PCM what gear you've selected to perform the appropriate actions such as reverse lights (tho i think thats not PCM dependant) or to turn on/off the correct solenoids to select the proper gear (OD on/off, L, 2, D positions).

[k21xfr]

Thanks for replying guys

my car is a 96 2.0 GT (UK) manual.

[Remy]

Does anyone have a pic of the reverse light switch on the transmission ?? or will I have to take apart the transmission to get to it ??

Edit: Yeah I'm having the same probs as the other guy

This post has been edited by Remy: Aug 8, 2006 - 11:31 AM

[Supersprynt]

I have an extra lying around from an E153 if that will work.

[Batman722]

(USDM) on the manual tranny there is a 2 pin connector on the top. There are 2 wires going to it - red w/white stripe and a red w/blue stripe. Make sure the connector is plugged in tight first.

[k21xfr]

is it a easy enough job to do yourself?? (is the reverse light swich visible from under the car or is it in a awkward position?)

or will i have to get a mechanic to do it?

Thanks

[Batman722]

it is visible from the TOP of the tranny. Just open you hood and take a look for it it is easy to do, no need for a mechanic. There is a plug that goes into it - 2 wires - red/white, red/blue

[Remy]

k thanks for the response batman when I get home from work I'll take a look at it..

[hurley97]

hope you found it. if not here's a pic for reference.

the space between the airbox and the distributor looks right down at the tranny and the switch...
the little two pin switch that the bright red wires lead to is your reverse light switch.
you'll probably have an actual clip holding those wires into the switch, mine is just Dustin's (Batman) ghetto rigged connection


This post has been edited by hurley97: Aug 10, 2006 - 8:04 AM

[k21xfr]

Hi

Thanks for posting the pic....is that for the 2.0 GT model? mine is a UK 96 manual st202.

thanks

[alltracman78]

for automatics the switch is also inside the trans, theres a wire harness with 6 wires that runs to the front of the trans and has a large gray or black connector. 2 heavy black and black/white stripe wires are for igniton (only start in park/nuetral) and the others are to tell the PCM what gear you've selected to perform the appropriate actions such as reverse lights

Reverse is outside the trans for an auto also.
It's that switch you are describing.

All models will be very similar for the manual trans.
Your UK one will be the same.

I believe it's either a 24 or 27 mm socket for the sensor.
Just unplug, stick the socket on, and turn off.
Thread new sensor in by hand to ensure it's threaded properly, then tighten with socket.

[k21xfr]

Hey Guys

Sorry about this...i still can't find the switch on my car....what do you suggest?

i was thinking of getting a manual so it will show me exactly wherebouts it is....do you guys know anywhere i could possibly download a manual for my car?

Thanks

[Remy]

When you guys say switch you mean theirs something you can turn on and off for the reverse lights ?? I found the wires connecting to the transmission all connected but still doesn't light up...?

[k21xfr]

i am led to believe that the reverse light switch is not something you can turn on and off...but something where maybe 2 wires go in to to giv the reverse light signal? at the rear.

wherebouts was your switch exactly?? i still can't find mine.

thanks

[Bitter]

im telling you guys, theres a switch thats wired to the main PRNDL harness that plugs into the front of the trans. i know, i didnt have any of those wires hooked up for a couple weeks and i had no reverse lights.

[alltracman78]

When you guys say switch you mean theirs something you can turn on and off for the reverse lights ?? I found the wires connecting to the transmission all connected but still doesn't light up...?

Yes.

For the manual trans, the switch has a ball bearing type deal on the part that is in the trans.
When you shift into R, it pushes on this "bearing" , closing the contact.
Which allows V to flow from one wire to the other, to the bulbs, and to ground.

For the auto, there is a switch Bitter, don't worry.
It's on the shift lever that is part of the trans.
When you move the lever in center console, it moves the cable, which moves this lever.
The shaft the lever is on rotates. The switch is connected to this shaft. When the shaft rotates, so does part of the switch [internally]. Which depending on which gear, opens and closes various contacts.
One of them being the R.

[Bitter]

but if thats the case then why is there a set of wires that run with the PRNDL harness into the trans that control that light? if you cut those wires then the reverse light doesnt work. im pretty sure the switch itself is inside the trans, otherwise my reverse light would would with the prndl harness unplugged, if you dont beleive me unplug the harness with 6 wires and put the car in reverse, there will be no reverse light i guarantee.

[Bitter]

the 2 red wires are for the vehicle speed sensor, on the large 6 wire harness in the front of the trans theres a red/black wire (cavity #8 i beleive) that sends the reverse position signal to the pcm (cavity A22 on PCM connector C1) AND activates the reverse lights.

the harness on the trans plugs into the switch itself, its held by 2 bolts, pobably 10mm and connected to the shift cable. i suspect that switch is gone bad, if you select 2 when you're cruising in 3rd or 4th gear with a light throttle does the transmission downshift to 2nd gear? if it does you should feel the car lurch a little and the engine rpms shoot up. this should also happen when deccelerating in gear, pull the lever to 2 and the car should lurch and the engine rpms should shoot up and the car should slow down on its own quickly. if neither happens theres a very good chance that that switch is bad. it shouldnt be hard to pull one from a junkyard car.