Adjusting Back Up Lights

[aventur1]

Back up lights come on in netural instead of reverse. Found the half moon shaped gizzmo inside towards the bottom of the steering column on the inside where the wires connect. How do you adjust? Saw some tabs that looks like you can open up, but decided to ask here first.

[see ten]

Sometimes the problem is in the linkage. Can you hold the shifter towards the neutral position and make the lights come on? You may be able to adjust the linkage and get em going again.

[aventur1]

I guess I have not tried that yet, but it was in the trans. shop getting serviced and adjustments and the tech said I have to adjust it from what ever that gizzmo is. Sounded like they did not want to mess with it and left it up to me, so just checking to see if anyone here has done it that way?

[see ten]

If it worked before it should work now. The tech either didn't know how to adjust it or didn't want to mess with it.

[aventur1]

It did not work before in reverse, just netural.
Any other ideas on how to adjust that gizzmo I'm talking about?

[BobbyK]

There are 2 small screws that hold it on.Loosen them and there should be some play there to adjust it.

If that doesn't work you'll need to play with the shift lever linkage.

[ChevLoRay]

When you put the selector in reverse, is the pointer lined up with the "R"? If not, the adjustment is under the hood, where the rod to the transmission is attached to the selector mechanism. There's a set screw that you can loosen that will let you adjust and re-set. It will be easier with two people. If you are by yourself and you loosen that set screw, the shifter will fall to it's lowest position, like somewhere in the 4 to 5 o'clock area.

[Smitty]

Have the emergency brake on and someone watching the lights in back. There is a small sheet metal screw on either end. Loosen them just enough so you can slide the switch from one side to the other. You won't have to move it much. With the shifter in reverse tweek the switch until the light in back comes on and tighten the screws back up.

[aventur1]

Thanks for the help, I'll give it a try!!!

[wibilly]

be carful doing this as it will also affect your neutral safty switch. does it work properly now?

[Orange]

Originally Posted by wibilly

be carful doing this as it will also affect your neutral safty switch. does it work properly now?

Yup. The little half moon thingy you are talking about IS the Neutral Safety Switch. You get it out of adjustment, you will have starting problems, and definitely won't be able to start in neutral. I just bypassed mine all together after my 700R4 swap - that was the only way to get reverse lights. Just got to be careful not to try and start it in gear.

Everyone's advice is correct though.

Here's a pic of mine bypassed.


DLB

[aventur1]

Hard to tell, I'll have to look again,seems mine does not look like that. It's more shaped like the gear indicator? Also looks like it has metal tabs you bend back to access. I loaned out my camera so I don't have a way to photo.

[Orange]

Originally Posted by aventur1

Hard to tell, I'll have to look again,seems mine does not look like that. It's more shaped like the gear indicator? Also looks like it has metal tabs you bend back to access. I loaned out my camera so I don't have a way to photo.

That's the shape.
This photo was taken more from a lower angle to show the bypass method rather than just the part itself.

DLB