I need to replace the backup switch on my 73 maverick with 3 speed manual column shifter. The shop manual gives me an idea as to where it is but just an idea. After inspecting the column, I believe that I have to unbolt the column, let it drop down in order to access the switch. Am I correct? I'd just like a little confirmation before I go through all of the trouble in 104ยบ heat. Thanks.
OK, I replaced the neutral / reverse switch. It is NOT on the transmission. At least not on a 3 speed column shift manual. (I'll post photos later). It's actually on the steering column down near the firewall. NOT FUN! I had to remove the lower portion of the dash board, and remove the supports to the column itself, and a bunch of stereo wires that I have no clue what the previous owner was doing. And now!...my reverse lights still do work when I put the car into reverse! So now I do not know what to do. I've replaced the bulbs, the switch, and I've fixed the turn signal, etc. Suggestions? I'm at my wits end.
Do you have the stock radio? The power for the reverse lights, is fed from the same wire that feeds the light to the radio. It goes to the radio first.
You're kidding? Right? No, this is not the stock radio. In fact, I just yanked out the wonderful AM/FM Cassette player when I removed the lower dash. He had a ton of wires that didn't go to anything and were capped off. He did have a pair of speaker wires connected to two separate fuses. No idea what that was about.
Nope........... I had a car that someone put an extra power port on, and they cut the radio light wire, since it is powered with the key on, and that car had no reverse lights, I traced it back, and that's what it was. I hooked it all back up, and I had reverse lights.
I've disconnected the radio (it's sitting outside the car). The power line to the radio is shunted. Is this the line that I need to rebook up? If so, how?
Check the blue wire with the red stripe, at the neutral safety switch, and see if you have power to the switch.
I'm sorry but now you're getting beyond my skills. How do I do that? I was looking at the wires and realized that after pulling the stereo, I only have 2 wires with no where to go. The power wire for the stereo and a brown wire. I spent about an hour looking at the electrical diagram and the brown wire does have something to do with the car's lighting but I haven't quite figured out what yet. So frustrating.
Buy yourself a test light, at an auto parts store, you've got to have one to do anything, or a meter.
OK, first I want to say, " FRIGGIN OUCH!" I was testing the wires, started with the radio power wire to see how this gadget works, and then proceeded to slip and jam this thing straight through my finger. A nice clean in and out. Luckily no blood on the carpet. OK, second, tested the two wires that come from the neutral switch with the shifter in reverse. I've got power. Tested that lone brown wire that I mentioned earlier. No power. Found the red wire with blue stripe. No power. Didn't find a blue wire with a red stripe. Now that I have a bandaid on, I'll go look again.
Sorry, it may be red with a blue stripe. (I have 2 different wiring diagrams) How about Black/Pink wire? Is there 4 wires on your neutral safety switch?
OK, I might be on to something here. Not 100% but see if my logic makes sense. I have 2 wires that come out of the switch and I have power. After thumping my head against the dash, I decided to play with my new, yet dangerous, toy and see if there was any power getting to the reverse light holders. Yep, there is power there. Now I'm really stumped. I then pulled a light bulb out to check it. Seems ok although I haven't tested it yet. Then I noticed something. The bulb has 2 nipples on the base while the holder has only one connector. Do I have the wrong bulbs? I search the bulbs on the net and I keep coming up with the 2 nipple bulbs as replacement bulbs. Am I crazy? Should the holder have 2 connectors or do I need to find different bulbs?
