back up / reverse light problem... switch?

[kneipperk]

i did the rear end eclipse conversion. spliced the wires for the reverse lights and ran new wire, plugged in the reverse lights and found out that they only come on when the shifter is only half way into gear. if you put it all the way into reverse then the lights shut off. i figured maybe it had something to do with the wires, so i connected the reverse lights back into the tail lights where i originally cut the wire, and same thing, only comes on when it is halfway into gear. i never noticed it before but maybe my car has always done this..... could this be my reverse/backup light switch, and anybody had it give them problems like this?

 

[luv2rallye]

You either have a bad backup light switch or the washer underneath it is wrong thickness or missing. The switch is on the top of tranny passenger side with 2 wires.

 

[kneipperk]

can i test it by pulling it out and pushing the ball in or something?

 

[luv2rallye]

Sure. Just hook up an ohmmeter (or battery & light) and press the button. But if the washer is missing that is almost certainly your problem as it has to be there for proper spacing (and correct thickness).

 

[Puscifer]

off the top would you happen to know the washer thickness, rallye? Mine hasn't worked for a while after I did a clutch job and figured it didn't get put back in either. Thanks boss man.

 

[Calan]

It sounds wacky, but I used one of those clear nylon spacers that comes in a stack of blank CD's. Has worked perfectly for a couple years now.

 

[luv2rallye]

off the top would you happen to know the washer thickness, rallye? Mine hasn't worked for a while after I did a clutch job and figured it didn't get put back in either. Thanks boss man.

Sorry, I didn't measure it. When I rebuilt mine I lost the washer and found out it doesn't work without one (as many others on here will tell you). I had to try 2 different thickness washers to get it to work but as I recall they weren't anything real unusual (hdw store). Fortunately it's not that hard to get at and you'll know as so as you shift into reverse with the engine still off (but key on).

4/2/2014: I just got a new factory one and it's 0.037" thick. However I know 0.040" works as that was what I've been using.

 

[glerma]

is this the same with a gs?