When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I have a 78 and was wondering the same thing...why would there be a light in there and no indicator??? Ive seen some pics of models that do indeed have a little orange needle showing shifter location....anyone know for sure?? Was it an option??
68-76 automatics didn't have an indicator or "pointer", you just line the shifter up next to the letter or number, on the console plate.
Originally Posted by san
I have a 78 and was wondering the same thing...why would there be a light in there and no indicator??? Ive seen some pics of models that do indeed have a little orange needle showing shifter location....anyone know for sure?? Was it an option??
All 77-82 automatics had an indicator. It's white plastic and is moved by a little tab on the shifter. They seem to get caught or bound up occasionally, and then break off when the shifter is moved. The indicator is reproduced and sells for about $8, but you need to remove the console to replace it.
From: PHOENIX AZ. WHAT A MAN WON"T SPEND TO GIVE HIS ASS A RIDE
So some here can't figurer out how to shift a automatic without a idiot light. Maybe your not Corvette worthy and please stay away from 4,5, & 6 speeds where you need to use your left foot.
So some here can't figurer out how to shift a automatic without a idiot light. Maybe your not Corvette worthy and please stay away from 4,5, & 6 speeds where you need to use your left foot.
The question likely stems from a simple why in the world did they not have that there when most cars do.
Answer is probably along the lines of GM saving a penny or 2, some engineer didn't think it was needed at the time, or thought that it was neat to just line up the shifter with the position. Then it was added in after several people probably complained, someone sued GM, or they thought it enhanced that luxury feel, or whatever.
Well do you need it >>>NO. Should it be there>>>YES. Its just odd, I thought maybe it fell off or something. I cannot believe that to save a few pennies, they would leave it of. There are quite a few things that GM did, I guess to save a few pennies that make no sense. I know all pennies count but I cannot believe that it would be worth the savings to its effect on the end product.
Is there even a light for the shifter indicator??? I have seen mention of it, but I didn't see it in the Aim manual and there is none illuminating on my 1972 coupe. Is it just out? I took a quick peak a while ago and didn't see any bulb there. Anyone? Thanks Ike
I don't really think that it was a matter of saving a few pennies. Most console mounted automatics in the 50-60's, didn't have any sort of pointer or indicator. 53-67 Corvettes, 61-64 Impala SS', 64-67 Chevelle SS', etc, didn't have any indicator or light. The Corvette's console was designed in the late 60's, when most cars with a floor shift didn't have any sort of indicator.
Cars with floor mounted automatic shifters, weren't all that common in the 60's, and I don't think an indicator was considered necessary.
Hello all, I don't mean to hijack this thread but I have been unable to find any notation in the Aim manual that a 1972 had a light at the shift indicator. Does anyone have a pic of the light bulb in the location or a page/diagram from AIM??? I am wondering if the wire is missing or hiding in there. Greatly appreciated!!!!! Ike
Last edited by general ike; Sep 7, 2017 at 10:19 PM.
I often wondered why the position indicator was on the passenger side the trans rather than the driver side. A PO went to the trouble of mounting a light onto the shifter and put indicators in the console in my '70
The white label was a temp fix I used for position indication when the four speed went in.
Did you get an answer to this question? I just pulled apart my console and see where it looks like a bulb should go, but no light is wired to it. Not sure if its not hooked up, missing or something else. Can you tell me what you learned?
Hi, the whole thing in my '70 was custom, since I've changed to a four speed auto I elected to put a label you can buy on line on the RH side of the shifter. No way to put a light under it because of the ash tray door so I did without it. What year is your vette?
Shift indicator?
