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1969 Back Up Switch Location

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Old Feb 17, 2016 | 09:41 AM
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Default 1969 Back Up Switch Location

Hi there,

Brand new to the forum and new to corvette ownership as of December.

I have been working out many of the bugs on my early build 1969 big block convertible 4 speed. As I imported this car to Canada from the US, I need to get everything operational prior to certification and licensing.
My back up lights do not work and after chasing wiring I realize that the back up switch was not installed (or the wires cut) or something as the wires disappear down below the engine.
Is it possible to replace this switch which I see in the manual without removing the transmission. I can't figure how to access it. I do not have a hoist in my shop.

Any help or suggestions would be very much appreciated!
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Old Feb 17, 2016 | 10:24 AM
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Thank you so much Alan,
I will get the car up on jacks and see if I can locate it. Your pictures are fantastic, I don't know how you keep your car so clean!
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Old Feb 17, 2016 | 11:41 AM
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Here is the exploded view showing all the parts... and below that is how you adjust it once you have it installed.



The best non-technical method used to adjust the back up lamp switch is to place the shifter in reverse, attach the switch rod to both the switch and the reverse rod and then move the switch until the back up lamps come on.

Installation of the rod is easy if it is installed in the correct hole. There is only one hole in the shifter lever, but there are multiple holes in the switch and the rod installs in the long lever with the single hole. You’ll notice there is a divot above the hole in the picture below.

Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Feb 17, 2016 at 11:42 AM.
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Old Feb 17, 2016 | 05:31 PM
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Thank you as well Willcox,
This info is so helpful and has saved me a ton of time. I will have a look later today and order one from you if it is not in place.
Pete
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Old Feb 19, 2016 | 10:53 AM
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Originally Posted by VancouverL71
Hi there,

Brand new to the forum and new to corvette ownership as of December.

I have been working out many of the bugs on my early build 1969 big block convertible 4 speed. As I imported this car to Canada from the US, I need to get everything operational prior to certification and licensing.
My back up lights do not work and after chasing wiring I realize that the back up switch was not installed (or the wires cut) or something as the wires disappear down below the engine.
Is it possible to replace this switch which I see in the manual without removing the transmission. I can't figure how to access it. I do not have a hoist in my shop.

Any help or suggestions would be very much appreciated!
You didn't mention what shifter and linkage you have on your car. The stock linkage should have a hole in the reverse lever (see the 1st image in post # 4 below) for the back-up light linkage (item #4 same image below) to slip into.

Many of these cars have been converted to a Hurst Shifter over the years however and some of them do not have a hole in the reverse lever to insert the back-up light linkage.
Hurst Reverse Lever - with the hole...

Hurst Reverse Lever - without the hole...


This reverse lever is hardened steel and difficult to drill for the back-up light linkage. What I did was weld a small nut to the edge of the lever in an appropriate location for the reverse lever to engage to solve my problem.

Good luck... GUSTO
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Old Feb 20, 2016 | 05:23 PM
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Thanks Gusto as well.
Looks like I have the factory set up but at some point the rod was taken off and some of the bits removed.
Thanks for all the help
Pete
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Old Feb 26, 2016 | 08:53 AM
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Originally Posted by Willcox Corvette
Here is the exploded view showing all the parts... and below that is how you adjust it once you have it installed.



The best non-technical method used to adjust the back up lamp switch is to place the shifter in reverse, attach the switch rod to both the switch and the reverse rod and then move the switch until the back up lamps come on.

Installation of the rod is easy if it is installed in the correct hole. There is only one hole in the shifter lever, but there are multiple holes in the switch and the rod installs in the long lever with the single hole. You’ll notice there is a divot above the hole in the picture below.
Thanks Wilcox for the advice.
I have just put in an order with you for the back up switch and components. Can you please let me know if I have ordered all the bits correctly for this switch.
It is a 1969 early built (Dec 1968) 427 muncie M21
Thanks
Pete
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Old Feb 26, 2016 | 09:05 AM
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Hi Pete,
Here are the parts to the switch and it's mounting bracket.
As shown in the Willcox drawing it mounts using the exiting bolts on the transmission.
There's also a rubber covered clip that mounts to the transmission tunnel fiberglass to help contain the electrical lead…. yours may or may not still be there. (2&3 in the drawing).
Regards,
Alan

The tab with the stamped info on it is from under one of the bolts to the transmission's side cover. Be careful with the 2 tiny 'hair-pin' clips for the rod… if they 'fly' away they can be hard to find in the garage.


Last edited by Alan 71; Feb 26, 2016 at 09:06 AM.
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Old Feb 27, 2016 | 12:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Alan 71
Hi Pete,
Here are the parts to the switch and it's mounting bracket.
As shown in the Willcox drawing it mounts using the exiting bolts on the transmission.
There's also a rubber covered clip that mounts to the transmission tunnel fiberglass to help contain the electrical lead…. yours may or may not still be there. (2&3 in the drawing).
Regards,
Alan

The tab with the stamped info on it is from under one of the bolts to the transmission's side cover. Be careful with the 2 tiny 'hair-pin' clips for the rod… if they 'fly' away they can be hard to find in the garage.

Think I got all those parts ordered correctly,
Thanks Alan!
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