Reverse Lights Always on
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,205
Likes: 64
From: Bocabec, New Brunswick
Manual transmission has a "Backing Lamp Switch" mounted on the side of the transmission. I can scan and post the removal/replacement proceedure from the service manual if you like.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Lansdale 19446 PA
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '10-'11, '15, '19
There is a bracket mounted on the tranny. The switch is fastened to the bracket with 2 small bolts (3/8"???). Loosen the 2 bolts to adjust the switch. Put the tranny in neutral, move the switch until the backup light goes off the move a little more & tighten TIGHT! If the light does not go off, replace the switch. The wire harness (light green and pinkish red wires) goes from the switch to a plug in the middle of the firewall below the wiper motor.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,205
Likes: 64
From: Bocabec, New Brunswick
Here you go...
You want the procedure for BACKING LAMP SWITCH- MANUAL TRANSMISSION, Transmission Mounted. There is an obvious typo, the figure referenced should be 8-22 which is on the page as well.
You want the procedure for BACKING LAMP SWITCH- MANUAL TRANSMISSION, Transmission Mounted. There is an obvious typo, the figure referenced should be 8-22 which is on the page as well.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,205
Likes: 64
From: Bocabec, New Brunswick
It's the official GM "Service Manual" for 1978 Chevrolet, Malibu, Camaro, Monte Carlo, Nova and Corvette. They show up for sale on eBay all the time, that's where I got mine. If you aren't in a hurry they often come up with a $.01 starting bid, there is one there now with a bid of just under $20 and or there is another one with a buy it now of about $37. Search for "78 corvette manual" and you will find them. There's also the GM "Wiring Diagram" and "Unit Repair" books available.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,162
Likes: 4,171
From: Kannapolis NC
There's also a short connecting rod between the reverse lever on the transmission and the back up lamp switch. If the clip has fallen off either end and the rod no longer moves the switch, they may stay on all the time. If that's the case and you don't care if they work, manually move the switch to the off position and leave it. If the rod is missing, you can buy it with clips from several vendors, including Volvette. The switch or wires may also be shorted. It can be disconnected at the firewall as another poster stated. I seem to recall one wire is brown and the other is pink with a green stripe, but anyway it is very close to the brake master cylinder and only has two wires in the plug. Also as previously stated, it may just need to be loosened and adjusted. Jacking up the car is harder than the adjustment. Post what you find.
Correction, just checked. Light green wire and pink wire,if original.
Correction, just checked. Light green wire and pink wire,if original.
Last edited by 65GGvert; Jan 4, 2008 at 05:00 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
There's also a short connecting rod between the reverse lever on the transmission and the back up lamp switch. If the clip has fallen off either end and the rod no longer moves the switch, they may stay on all the time. If that's the case and you don't care if they work, manually move the switch to the off position and leave it. If the rod is missing, you can buy it with clips from several vendors, including Volvette. The switch or wires may also be shorted. It can be disconnected at the firewall as another poster stated. I seem to recall one wire is brown and the other is pink with a green stripe, but anyway it is very close to the brake master cylinder and only has two wires in the plug. Also as previously stated, it may just need to be loosened and adjusted. Jacking up the car is harder than the adjustment. Post what you find.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
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So i just went out and started the car and the light were on and if i put the car in reverse and put into to neutral after a couple of tries the lights turned off. so i am going to crawl under the car and look at the switch and the rod. I think something is just loose
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,162
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From: Kannapolis NC
It's on the driver's side. It is mounted with a shield and has a connecting rod. If you have someone move the shifter in and out of reverse, you'll see the rod and the switch move if connected. The switch has a gray putty on the wires of the switch and the lever from the reverse linkage lever will push/pull the ell shaped switch lever back and forth. Many times they just come loose and stay either off or on. You'll probably need someone to be in the car moving the shifter so you can adjust so they go off and on consistently when properly adjusted. The mount on the switch is slotted, loosen the two bolts and slide the mount and switch clockwise and counter clockwise to adjust. Make sure first that the rod is connected on both ends, it's only about 3 inches long. Let me know.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 138
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It's on the driver's side. It is mounted with a shield and has a connecting rod. If you have someone move the shifter in and out of reverse, you'll see the rod and the switch move if connected. The switch has a gray putty on the wires of the switch and the lever from the reverse linkage lever will push/pull the ell shaped switch lever back and forth. Many times they just come loose and stay either off or on. You'll probably need someone to be in the car moving the shifter so you can adjust so they go off and on consistently when properly adjusted. The mount on the switch is slotted, loosen the two bolts and slide the mount and switch clockwise and counter clockwise to adjust. Make sure first that the rod is connected on both ends, it's only about 3 inches long. Let me know.
Thanks 65GGvert i will give that a shot either tonight or this weekend.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,162
Likes: 4,171
From: Kannapolis NC
You don't need to start the car, just put the ignition switch in the on position and put the car in neutral. Then loosen the two bolts and move the switch whichever way makes the lights go off. Tighten the bolts and then make sure the lights still come on in reverse. All can be done with engine off and key on.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
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You don't need to start the car, just put the ignition switch in the on position and put the car in neutral. Then loosen the two bolts and move the switch whichever way makes the lights go off. Tighten the bolts and then make sure the lights still come on in reverse. All can be done with engine off and key on.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,775
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ive got the exact opposite problem, mine reverse lights never come on and i would like to get them working finally. they never worked for my dad almost 30 years ago, and he put a new switch in, and they still didnt work.
is there an inline fuse some place that could be blown? another connection some where up the line that could be bad? its a 69 with a 4 speed.
is there an inline fuse some place that could be blown? another connection some where up the line that could be bad? its a 69 with a 4 speed.