Fixing reverse light switch at transaxle, backup lights not working in reverse? try this... Options

[Chris Pincetich]

Slowly but surely, my rustoration progresses, with all of your help (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
My reverse lights haven't been working, for years...

Here's how to fix that
1) replace light bulbs (this didn't fix it for me, but might for you!)
2) replace fuse (not really, it wasn't blown in my case)

still not working?
3) Check circuit: jumper pins #2 and #4 on the 12-pin connector near the back of the relay board. When connected, this completes the ground (-) circuit and the reverse lights illuminate! If not, bad wiring somewhere. Those bullet connectors come loose...
4) Fix bullet connectors: mine were falling off from several session of transaxle rebuilding prior years, and the several times I yanked them out. Cleaning and re-crimping does wonders. I even managed a drop of soldier in there before crimping so they are solid now.
5) Fix reverse light switch: the fun part!
- Remove it, with a pan under to catch a few oil drips.
- Inspect for a metal pin inside the hole the switch came out of in the transaxle. Mine was missing, probably fell out during aforementioned transaxle yanking.
- Make a new pin! Use a 1/8" drill bit cut to 28mm.
- Insert pin into hole in transaxle, then install switch over the pin and tighten.

The switch functions when the reverse gear pushes against the pin and the pin pushes against a spring-loaded (some kind of tension) circuit in the switch. When pushed, it completes the (-) circuit. Both wires going into the switch are (-).

I gathered all this from several posts and searches, but it was not all in one place in a thread with a relevant title that works on the Search. Steve's Never Ending Progress Thread, Mike Bellis, and others should take credit. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

Pics below show
- the pin in the transaxle, inside the hole where the switch goes
- the newly created pin from old drill bit. Use the blunt end!