back up switch question

[davidh]

okay, I was under my dash today on my old 67, I saw the green wires for backup lights not hooked up. I quickly found the spot on the column where they go, plugged it in and shifted my 3speed into reverse, no back up light? Then unplugged it, took a small wire and jumped the 2 wires at the plug my back up lights were on. Is the switch bad? How do I tell? Is there some kind of adjustment that can be made because maybe the switch isnt being activated? I'd like to have back up lights. thanks. david

[sneakysnake]

If you jumped the wires and the lights worked then the issue is in the switch.
Do you have an ohm meter? pull the switch off and manually work it, either test it or plug it back up, if the lights work then you have a adjustment problem and if it does'nt, then the switch needs replacing.

[Fatback]

Those switches were not very durable. They made them the same for years and the same switch fit many models. I got one from a 62 Chevy wagon. And I've bought one from a vendor. Now I have a toggle switch for mine ...I dont like it, but its nice to see where you are going in the dark. Its just a PITA when you forget to turn them off.

[Longhorn Man]

fatback... put a lighted toggle on there, I found it stops me from driving with them on 99% of the time.

[davidh]

I went to NAPA today and orderd one for about $14. I had them look and it was used clear up til 82 or something. I plan on trying it out around thanksgiving wk end. If it doesnt work then it will get a toggle switch. I plan on adding some more white lights for back up or working behind the truck in the back bumper.

[berencam]

your going to get the wrong one, its going to end up being a neutral and backup light switch. you are going to end up having to find a used one. I went through the same thing your going through about 3 months ago.

[davidh]

why's that?

[berencam]

i looked and called countless companys and no one had the backup only switch. the backup only switch looks like this

this is what your going to get...



it isnt spring loaded and will not work for your application.

at least this is what i ran into..

[davidh]

should I rob one off a later truck then??? That really bites.

[berencam]

well you have site supporter just post you needing one. i got one off billsbowtie. the one he sent me was also broken but in a different place so i took my old one, his old one, and took them apart. i used the good innards of mine and the good body of his and wala backup light switch.


edit.... this is why i started looking for 67-72 chevy sites in the first place and found this one. my first post here was asking your same question

[jimfulco]

Might just need to adjust the position of the switch. On my truck, you have to hold the shifter as high as it will go before the backup lights will come on.

[davidh]

Well, napa orderd me a back up switch but I dont think its correct. It looks more like what you would see for a manual tranny on the floor or something. I didnt buy it yet. The connections for it look the same on the plug however. Any comments? I dont have the truck close to by to take the other one off and compare.

[berencam]

that screws into the transmission.... the connection is the same because it still plugs into the same plug, only difference is that is directly on the tranny.... think its for a 4 speed manual?.....

[davidh]

thanks. didnt think it looked right. and by theball switch It appeared like something such as shifter needed to activate it.

[berencam]

yea i hate to say it... but i told you so