Manfred

My reverse lights have always worked but they were so dim it was hard to tell at times. Recently they seemed more dim than usual so I checked them out and they're both out. Both bulbs are working, the fuse is fine (and the other items run by that fuse are fine--mirror motor for example). So, next up I checked rennlist threads--found lots on automatics but not so much on 5spds. I did find a couple mentions of a two pin connector near the steering wheel locking mechanism that sometimes gets loose. Light bulb came on in my head--my steering rack gave out and was replaced a few months back--that's about the time I noticed that the reverse lights weren't coming on. The shop that replaced the rack had the steering wheel off at the time.

Put my head under there and there's a two pin connector just hanging out but I can't find where I'm supposed to plug it in--any help?



close up of connector

Mrmerlin

that connector may be for the key removed switch on the bottom side of the steering column tween the switch and steering column.
Most probable is the reverse light switch has failed its screwed into the transaxle
You may be able to test the switch from the top in the spare tire well though you will need the ELEX diagram to find the wires

Manfred

yeah, I saw posts about the connections in the spare tire well too, just thought that the connector by the steering wheel was more likely since the reverse lights had been working until recently and the steering had been removed recently.

I don't follow--what's that for? What is affected by it not being plugged in?

Manfred

This is the connector that was referenced in another thread (a-t-indicator-lights-only-on-with-parking-lights--just can't seem to find this in my car:

kevinod

I have a very similar connection hanging in my drivers footwell, and I understood it was a connector for the kick down for an automatic, and would connect into the back of the accelerator pedal somehow? Mine was converted to manual along the way before I got it.

Manfred

Ahh, that would make sense.

Leon Speed

Another point to check is the bridge in the CE panel.

Alan

No there is nothing there that affects the reversing light on a manual car.

As has been noted - check that there is a brass bridge (30-87) in the slot for the reverse light relay. Also check the connector in the spare tire well above and foward of the battery box - there may be a plastic cover over that area.

Bypass (short) the swicth and see if the lights come on (w/ ignition on) - if yes your issue is with the switch/switch connections. The 2 pin connector has Blue & Black/Blue on the car side and Blue & Brown on the switch side.

Under the car on the rear trans make sure the switch connections are good and if needed test the switch - its contolled only by the gearbox being in reverse.

Alan

Manfred

Thanks Alan--I looked in the spare tire compartment last night (removed the black plastic cover) and fiddled with all the two pin connectors with the ignition on the car in reverse and didn't get any flickering--I'll try again with your hints as far as the color of the wiring goes so I can be certain I have the correct wires.

Yeah--I'll confess--I didn't check the bridge in the fuse box 'cause the lights used to work fine and I assume the bridge didn't just fall out but I guess it could be corroded or loose--something to wiggle/remove today.

Is the switch in the transaxle obvious--what am I looking for--I assume it's the only two wire connection going to the transaxle?

Manfred

OK, bridge in fuse box is fine, tight, no corrosion. Connection in spare tire well is good. I looked for a switch on the transaxle--can see the rear of the transaxle pretty well but couldn't shimmy under the car far enough to see the front of it--couldn't find the switch.

Alan, by bypassing the switch I assume you mean jumper btw. the blue/blue-black wires in the spare tire well? I still need to try that--I'll do that first and post back in a little while (gotta make the kids pancakes first).
Dan

Manfred

OK, pancakes were good but jumping the switch was not good. I'm doing this correct, yes? Connected blue wire to blue/black wire on car side of connector in tire well--had ignition on and car in reverse...

Is there anything else to check at this point? I feel like I have to be missing something simple since they were working not too long ago. If I've jumpered the transmission switch and they're still not lighting up then it would seem to imply a problem in the wiring from the CE panel to the lights--seems a little unlikely to me.

Mrmerlin

replace both of the bulbs if everything checks out
check if your getting 12V to the center pin on each light socket,
key on,
trans in reverse

Manfred

Yeah, I actually checked both the old bulbs by connecting them to a D battery and they're fine--I replaced them anyway since they were old and dim.

Manfred

I guess I should be getting 12V at the connector in the spare tire well if I test btw the blue and the black/blue wires with the ignition on (whether in reverse or not, since I'm bypassing the switch that way, right?) so long as the wiring from the CE panel to the spare wheel well is OK?

Mrmerlin

put one side of the MM to chassis ground and look for 12v from either of the wires also check the light bulb housing sidewall for continuity to ground.