HELP. reverse light stays on! with video

[gingerbredman00]

My reverse light stays on no matter which gear i'm in.
the plug is connected, and the reverse light switch worked perfectly fine in my last transmission..
I'm loading a video as we speak, the grind in the video is because I didn't make the wheels stop spinning before going to reverse..

I guess it would help if I told you guys im almost dont with my AWD conversion.
I have installed an AWD transmission, transfer case, driveshaft. Also a new sprung 6 puck clutch with an as close to stock as possible pressure plate to work with the clutch.
Yes I had the flywheel resurfaced.
All I have left is the drivers side half shaft, and a new tie rod end for the passenger side, (my fault) oh and more fluid in the transmission. and i'll be good to go! slowly for the next 500 or so miles

YouTube - goofy DSM reverse lights

 

[liquidz28]

the wire is pinched somewhere, if i remember correctly the wire is a negative lead, when grounded it will activate the lights by completing the circut. follow the wire from front to back. this is a simple issue, fortunately the reverse lights arent connected to 30 billion other things like most of the parts to the dsms .

 

[gingerbredman00]

Unless there could be something wrong inside the transmission, that would cause it to not connect to the plug thingy. Then I think I would just pull the bulb.
lets hope it's easy...

 

[burnerdaddy]

short to ground on the reverse light circuit. i can get you a wiring diagram if you like to find your problem

 

[gingerbredman00]

I just partually unplugged it from the transmission, it's still on there just not enough to make contact.
How often do you use reverse in front of a cop anyways?
I'll figure it out later, i"m more interested in the other stuff at the moment..

 

[asb2106]

haha!

Sorry to hear about your problems, my talon has a wiring problem as well. We traced everywire every where and the headlights/taillights do not work!

I just found the circuit that needs to be grounded and now do so with a switch

 

[liquidz28]

so the light stays on even after removing the plug from the tranny?
if so its deffinately pinched somewhere..
i hate electrical but it seems to be one of the more interesting subjects when workin on my car.. what a gd mess

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....hmm wich ones for the rear wiper......

 

[gingerbredman00]

^holy crap^
With it unplugged the light turns off, with it plugged in it comes on as soon as I turn the key.
Any body near tulsa got a drivers side cv shaft? if so PM me please.
Also is it possible to drive the car without that drivers side one in for a week until payday when I can get one?

 

[liquidz28]

^holy crap^
With it unplugged the light turns off, with it plugged in it comes on as soon as I turn the key.
Any body near tulsa got a drivers side cv shaft? if so PM me please.
Also is it possible to drive the car without that drivers side one in for a week until payday when I can get one?

i suppose its possable, but you may have issues with the one you do have since it wont be distributing the power 50/50. also if you do drive it like that make sure the shaft hole is covered...sand is a bad thing.

if it was me, i wouldnt even think of driving it w/o full assembly.

as far as the lights concerned, sounds like you need to test the wire going to the tranny, its only positive negitive setup, and you can just not have the bulb in, or keep the switch wire unplugged, there isnt even a fine for reverse light out since nobody reverses without using the brake lights...but thats here in washington, i just use my reverse sockets to hold the spares for my brake lights

 

[gingerbredman00]

yeah I'm not going to drive it just yet.
I have everything done except the drivers side cv shaft, the outer part.
I already have the half that goes in the transmission in there and bolted in.
So fluids and the outer cv shaft and it will be done..
Damn recession is killing my budget for this car!
It should be done next friday. I finally get to drive my first AWD vehicle!!! WOO!!!!!

 

[redline6k]

Is there a washer on the reverse switch? The switch might be too tight causing it to always stay on.

 

[liquidz28]

yeah I'm not going to drive it just yet.
I have everything done except the drivers side cv shaft, the outer part.
I already have the half that goes in the transmission in there and bolted in.
So fluids and the outer cv shaft and it will be done..
Damn recession is killing my budget for this car!
It should be done next friday. I finally get to drive my first AWD vehicle!!! WOO!!!!!

its a good feeling...i just got back from the pizza spot down town, nothing like a strong launch in the rain ;p

 

[gingerbredman00]

I can't launch it yet.
I still have to figure out the WUB WUB sound.
The washer things for the driveshaft are horrible and don't match right, Third gear grinds for some reason and the others don't, And I did'nt balance the wheels/tires yet so things are a bit wobbley.
But I avoided a dead animal in the road today and the handling felt awesome.
Also the car seems to kinda shake like it has horrible motor mounts, like everything shakes for a second.
my buddy that was helpin work on the car and part out my other one cleaned my carport/garage space and un orgianized all the bolts, so a couple are mis-matched but I believe everything is in there except ONE transmission bolt on the lower back of the block seemed like the hole for it was gone,like it did'nt need one. right where the other dowell pin goes.
sorry for those run on sentances I sucked at english class.. haha

 

[liquidz28]

make sure you get all fours up on stands and put it in neutral spin the wheels by hand and make sure its smooth as silk, grab each wheel and check for solidity, check the driveshaft for imperfections, that will deffinately cause vibes. also if the engine has bad mounts there will be vibes there too...either way grats on the assembley!


1990 Eagle Talon TSi AWD, Highly Modified!
91 Talon Tsi AWD
1993 DSM Plymouth Laser RS AWD Turbo PRICE REDUCED

 

[gingerbredman00]

thank's I will have to get it back on stands and find that bolt hole.
It did the shake thing before but nothing like this.
Also my wife is P.O'd about what i'v spent on the car already..

Is there a washer on the reverse switch? The switch might be too tight causing it to always stay on.

I'll check. But it's the exact same one that came off my old transmission.

 

[gingerbredman00]

Ok So if i'm in 5th gear going 40 or slower and i give it some gas the car shakes/rattles
I know my motor mounts need replacing, but is it that or something with the clutch.
Searching until 1:45 A.M makes ya sleepy.

I'm afraid I'm going to break my new clutch, after only 50 miles I'm not buying another.
If in fact it is the clutch there WILL be a 90 AWD for sale CHEAP!!!
Sorry if it sounds rude, it's not supposed to...

 

[Calan]

Is there a washer on the reverse switch? The switch might be too tight causing it to always stay on.

This ^^^.

The reverse sensor on the tranny is picky about how tight it is. Just a 1/4 turn can make a difference. Turn the key on with the car in reverse, and with the plug connected loosen the sensor and see if it goes off. I'm guessing your other light is out because of a blown bulb.

Since it rides on the 5th/reverse rail, it can also cause problems getting into 5th gear sometimes if it is too tight.

 

[liquidz28]

Ok So if i'm in 5th gear going 40 or slower and i give it some gas the car shakes/rattles
I know my motor mounts need replacing, but is it that or something with the clutch.
Searching until 1:45 A.M makes ya sleepy.

I'm afraid I'm going to break my new clutch, after only 50 miles I'm not buying another.
If in fact it is the clutch there WILL be a 90 AWD for sale CHEAP!!!
Sorry if it sounds rude, it's not supposed to...

i think they all shake/rattle in 5th going under 40mph...its the gearing, if your ratio's are stock 5th is WAY to tall for under 40...i actually keep my revs above 2000 when driving, unless your going downhill, theres no reason to be in such a high gear at such a low speed, its actually proven that being in the right gear for the speed will help on gas mileage, since your actually having to give it more gas being in a tall gear at such low speed..same reason you dont want to start out in 3rd when your at a light, just stressing the motor.

PS. the motormounts are important, if your shits all moving around your rubbin it raw, get em fixxed.

 

[gingerbredman00]

Thanks The motor mounts and 3g lifters are next on my list.
I got a dood deal on a S-afcII and a new valve cover so i figures the motor mounts can wait a week or two.
liquid z28 You rock, thanks for all the help and following my complete thread.

 

[123abc]

This ^^^.

The reverse sensor on the tranny is picky about how tight it is. Just a 1/4 turn can make a difference. Turn the key on with the car in reverse, and with the plug connected loosen the sensor and see if it goes off. I'm guessing your other light is out because of a blown bulb.

Since it rides on the 5th/reverse rail, it can also cause problems getting into 5th gear sometimes if it is too tight.

Did this fix it gingerbredman00? My friend and I just swapped his trans and someone else switched out his reverse light sensors and now his reverse lights stay on all the time. Sounds just like the problem calan posted.