Reverse lights/steering column - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

duckdown · 04-18-2003, 10:27 AM

I've got a 3spd on the column and the reverse lights only come on if I physically hold the shift lever up in the highest reverse position. When I let go of the lever, the truck will stay in reverse, but the reverse lights go out. There is obviously a worn or broken contact point somewhere in the column, but where should I start. I have the exact same problem with the left turnsignal. I figured I'd check with you guys before I tore everything apart and made a bigger mess. Thanks in advance.
duckdown

**CPNE** · 04-18-2003, 10:41 AM

Bolted to top side of your column at the base of it near the inside cab firwall, there is a switch with 2 wires running to it. This is your backup switch. It is activated by a tab on the reverse shift rod that actuates the switch. Unbolt it from your column and you'll see what I mean. If it's like most of them, the soft metal that the rod's tab makes contact with is bent, twisted, or worn away from 30+ year's use. This is why it only makes contact when shift lever is physically held up in highest position. You can try and reshape the metal on the switch so it makes more positive contact with the tab. I don't think you can buy these new, so hopefully you can rescue the old one or someoe may have one that's in better condition as a replacement.

The other possibility is sloppy worn bushings on the linkage arms that actrivate the tranny's shift forks. I'd investigate the switch first however.

**CPNE** · 04-18-2003, 10:43 AM

On the turn signal, you have to pull the steering wheel. I'd bet the plastic piece the signal lever is screwed to is cracked, making it hard to engage correctly. You can buy this part new.

BUXMAN66 · 04-18-2003, 11:06 AM

lmc,golden state,others have the back-up light switches also.

**CPNE** · 04-18-2003, 11:18 AM

I've seen 4 speed and auto backup switches new but never 3 speed manual switches. This is news to me.

duckdown · 04-18-2003, 01:59 PM

Thanks guys. I'll take a look at it this weekend.
duckdown

04-18-2003, 10:27 AM	#1
duckdown Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 11	Reverse lights/steering column I've got a 3spd on the column and the reverse lights only come on if I physically hold the shift lever up in the highest reverse position. When I let go of the lever, the truck will stay in reverse, but the reverse lights go out. There is obviously a worn or broken contact point somewhere in the column, but where should I start. I have the exact same problem with the left turnsignal. I figured I'd check with you guys before I tore everything apart and made a bigger mess. Thanks in advance. duckdown

04-18-2003, 10:41 AM	#2
CPNE Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: NH Posts: 6,664	Bolted to top side of your column at the base of it near the inside cab firwall, there is a switch with 2 wires running to it. This is your backup switch. It is activated by a tab on the reverse shift rod that actuates the switch. Unbolt it from your column and you'll see what I mean. If it's like most of them, the soft metal that the rod's tab makes contact with is bent, twisted, or worn away from 30+ year's use. This is why it only makes contact when shift lever is physically held up in highest position. You can try and reshape the metal on the switch so it makes more positive contact with the tab. I don't think you can buy these new, so hopefully you can rescue the old one or someoe may have one that's in better condition as a replacement. The other possibility is sloppy worn bushings on the linkage arms that actrivate the tranny's shift forks. I'd investigate the switch first however. __________________ Currently on or near the homestead: 67 Chevy SWB 2WD stepside 350/3 on tree (Pat's) 67 GMC SWB 2WD Fleet 402/auto (Brian's under construction) 67 Chevy 3/4 ton 2WD 402/auto (Business Hauler) 67 Chevy 1 ton dually 2WD 396/4 speed (Former business hauler, Needs TLC) 68 Chevy 1/2 ton Suburban 2WD 250 six/3 on tree (Brian's Needs TLC) 70 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD 350/4 speed (Pat's - Disguised as a 68 GMC) 71 Chevy SWB stepside (Crushed by tree - parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD (Parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD Suburban (Parts Donor) 72 GMC 3/4 ton 4WD 292 six/4 speed (Mine - Disguised as a 67 GMC) 81 GMC 4WD Dually Dump Body 350/4 speed (Business Hauler) 82 Camaro Z/28 355/Super T-10 (Pat's toy) 93 Caprice 9C1 (Brian's Cop Car) 02 Toyota Camry (Reliable but a souless steel and plastic hulk) 2011 2SS RS Camaro M6 Factory Hurst Shifter Maybe I need to sell some of this crap Yet another Bozo with a sawz-all

04-18-2003, 10:43 AM	#3
CPNE Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: NH Posts: 6,664	On the turn signal, you have to pull the steering wheel. I'd bet the plastic piece the signal lever is screwed to is cracked, making it hard to engage correctly. You can buy this part new. __________________ Currently on or near the homestead: 67 Chevy SWB 2WD stepside 350/3 on tree (Pat's) 67 GMC SWB 2WD Fleet 402/auto (Brian's under construction) 67 Chevy 3/4 ton 2WD 402/auto (Business Hauler) 67 Chevy 1 ton dually 2WD 396/4 speed (Former business hauler, Needs TLC) 68 Chevy 1/2 ton Suburban 2WD 250 six/3 on tree (Brian's Needs TLC) 70 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD 350/4 speed (Pat's - Disguised as a 68 GMC) 71 Chevy SWB stepside (Crushed by tree - parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD (Parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD Suburban (Parts Donor) 72 GMC 3/4 ton 4WD 292 six/4 speed (Mine - Disguised as a 67 GMC) 81 GMC 4WD Dually Dump Body 350/4 speed (Business Hauler) 82 Camaro Z/28 355/Super T-10 (Pat's toy) 93 Caprice 9C1 (Brian's Cop Car) 02 Toyota Camry (Reliable but a souless steel and plastic hulk) 2011 2SS RS Camaro M6 Factory Hurst Shifter Maybe I need to sell some of this crap Yet another Bozo with a sawz-all

04-18-2003, 11:06 AM	#4
BUXMAN66 go bucks! Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: MIAMISBURG OHIO USA Posts: 803	lmc,golden state,others have the back-up light switches also. __________________ '68 swb 1/2t 350/350th '86 lngbd 3/4 TON parts getter '49 gmc 1/2 t 5 window 350/350th '96 gmc sonoma sle ext-cab. hey it's a 4cyl. 5 spd and good on gas y'know?

04-18-2003, 11:18 AM	#5
CPNE Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: NH Posts: 6,664	I've seen 4 speed and auto backup switches new but never 3 speed manual switches. This is news to me. __________________ Currently on or near the homestead: 67 Chevy SWB 2WD stepside 350/3 on tree (Pat's) 67 GMC SWB 2WD Fleet 402/auto (Brian's under construction) 67 Chevy 3/4 ton 2WD 402/auto (Business Hauler) 67 Chevy 1 ton dually 2WD 396/4 speed (Former business hauler, Needs TLC) 68 Chevy 1/2 ton Suburban 2WD 250 six/3 on tree (Brian's Needs TLC) 70 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD 350/4 speed (Pat's - Disguised as a 68 GMC) 71 Chevy SWB stepside (Crushed by tree - parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD (Parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD Suburban (Parts Donor) 72 GMC 3/4 ton 4WD 292 six/4 speed (Mine - Disguised as a 67 GMC) 81 GMC 4WD Dually Dump Body 350/4 speed (Business Hauler) 82 Camaro Z/28 355/Super T-10 (Pat's toy) 93 Caprice 9C1 (Brian's Cop Car) 02 Toyota Camry (Reliable but a souless steel and plastic hulk) 2011 2SS RS Camaro M6 Factory Hurst Shifter Maybe I need to sell some of this crap Yet another Bozo with a sawz-all

04-18-2003, 01:59 PM	#6
duckdown Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 11	Thanks guys. I'll take a look at it this weekend. duckdown

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