backup lights oddity

[hplacecf]

backup lights issue.

1977 Chevrolet c10 stepside.

bought used, so I don't now the history.

the backup lights never worked since I got the truck. it was something I was going to get around to in the restoration process. I just thought some fuse was blown or something.

today, the backup lights were on while I was driving away from my house - wife saw them and told me when I got back.

so, I guess it is not a fuse since they came on, but they should not come on when I am driving. I tried recreating the situation, but couldn't.

what should I look at to figure out how to get them to work correctly, now that I know that they do work (if not correctly).

thanks

[Jabes1]

Your neutral safety switch turns off and on your reverse lights... Im willing to bet its something with the adjustment or the lower column that actuates the switch.

[Kurt L]

i had my backup lights on a separate switch,in my 70 that i had the switch on the trans was bad. so i just hooked them up to a separate switch.maybe redneck but it worked go for me.lol

[hplacecf]

Originally Posted by Jabes1

Your neutral safety switch turns off and on your reverse lights... Im willing to bet its something with the adjustment or the lower column that actuates the switch.

I looked at the base of the column, but not sure what I am looking at. what does neutral safety switch look like?

thanks

[463]

You will find the switch on the trans , here is a link for a pic http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,ca...,parttype,4240
From the sound of this it should just be an adjustment to get the lights to work.

[Jabes1]

Its white, on the top of the column towards the floorboard. Two 5/16ths bolts hold it down. Unbolt it and inspect it for any obvious damage. It should slide easily left to right, while you're sliding it look for your reverse lights to come on. Key might have to be on, its been awhile since I've messed with one. If its also out of adjustment it will keep your truck from starting FYI. The NSS is NOT on the transmission on C/K models with an automatic its on the transmission on standard transmissions and G/P models... Look at this link for more information.

http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/sm...?topic=13967.0

[hplacecf]

Originally Posted by Jabes1

Its white, on the top of the column towards the floorboard. Two 5/16ths bolts hold it down. Unbolt it and inspect it for any obvious damage. It should slide easily left to right, while you're sliding it look for your reverse lights to come on. Key might have to be on, its been awhile since I've messed with one. If its also out of adjustment it will keep your truck from starting FYI. The NSS is NOT on the transmission on C/K models with an automatic its on the transmission on standard transmissions and G/P models... Look at this link for more information.

http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/sm...?topic=13967.0

thanks. I will check that out and report back.

I forgot to mention that it is manual transmission.

[walkerb]

Floor or column shift?

[BONUSCAB]

Mine work fine...

[hplacecf]

Originally Posted by walkerb

Floor or column shift?

I forgot to mention that as well...

it is 3 on the tree (which I happen to love...)

[walkerb]

Yep still in the same location, at the bottom of the column close to the firewall. I wish mine was still a column the po swapped it to the floor.

[mongoose]

might need to drop the column.

[77 ChevySport]

Originally Posted by hplacecf

I forgot to mention that as well...

it is 3 on the tree (which I happen to love...)

According to my service manual the B/O light switch comes both ways
for manual transmission. IIRC the Muncie 465 the switch is on the transmission and for all others it is on the steering column. Larry

[mongoose]

Originally Posted by 77 ChevySport

According to my service manual the B/O light switch comes both ways
for manual transmission. IIRC the Muncie 465 the switch is on the transmission and for all others it is on the steering column. Larry

if shifting is done with the column it's on the column, if not.. it's not.

[hplacecf]

problem solved.

but, I do not know exactly 'why' is it working now.

I took a mix of everyone's advice and checked out the area on the column where the switch is. man, a guy has to be gumby to work on that...

regardless, that night I checked with a flashlight and touched everything down there, and then planned to take it all apart the next day in the daylight.

so, the next day I was about to take it apart, but decided to check the backup lights one more time... well, now they work as they should all the time.

my guess is that something down there was loose?, and I just happened to touch the right thing?

thanks for all the advice. if it stops working again permanently, I will know what to do to fix it.

[willett]

It's over 40 years old and probably sticky!

[nekkidhillbilly]

Originally Posted by willett

It's over 40 years old and probably sticky!

this contacts can get dirty

[hplacecf]

well, the backup lights working mysteriously on their own has ended...

so, I found the white switch mechanism on the steering column and I took it off by removing the two small bolts (as suggested).

what I found was that it was all gummed up inside with what looked like crusted old white grease. it would stick and not move, or move and get stuck.

"

so, I cleaned out all of the old grease and lubed it up with oil. it then moved freely without getting stuck.

well, I put it back in, but still no backup lights. @!#$%

any ideas?

I felt the spot in the column where the switch goes before I put it back. I could feel something protruding once it was put in reverse, so I installed the switch back in when it was in neutral. do I need to 'adjust' it?
I notice if the bolts were tightened down too much, it would not shift into first or reverse, so I loosened it up to the point where it would.


there was mention made above of contacts getting dirty. I cleaned where the plug attached on the outside and I saw something on the outside like metal dots that I cleaned, but is there something else?

thanks

[hplacecf]

bump.

anyone know the correct way to adjust one of these?

thanks

[oscales]

Put it in reverse install the switch, have someone let you know if the lights are on/off, or use a mirror. Adjust accordingly, had same problem. Good luck!
OScales