I cant figure it out!! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

79Chevypickup · 10-09-2003, 03:14 PM

No matter what I try and do or look at, I cant get my reverse lights to come on...
And yes I checked the bulbs, but no I can not check the sockets I dont have a voltmeter...
But I would like to know if anyone knows what else could be the problem...
Like if I went out right now and bought a voltmeter and I was getting power back there, then where could the problem lye?
You know what I mean....?
This just frustrates me!!

Low87 · 10-09-2003, 03:21 PM

Mine is tricky too. When I have the shifter in reverse, there is a little play with the shifter. There is one 'sweet spot' where the lights will come on, but 99.9% of the time it doesn't. I'm not familiar with the mechanics in the column for the reverse lights, but I figure mine is loose or worn. Hopefully someone will have some insight.

383drvr · 10-09-2003, 04:09 PM

Hmmm.... I have the same problem in my 83. The lights will engage only if I "hold" the lever in the "top" of the reverse notch in the column. So this basicly means I cant get the lights to come on.... I havent looked into it much, but I think theres a white neutral start switch in the column under the dash that engages the rev. lights. If its off a little, I think that may be the cause. I'm by NO means an expert, this is just what I've come up with by my own little self... :p

I should try to get under there and tinker with it a little...

MylilBowTie · 10-09-2003, 04:33 PM

Sounds like your guy's shift linkage is worn out and you need to adjust your shift linkage just a hair. The rod that comes down on the underside of the cab. The rod goes into an eyelet with a nut. You can loosen it a little and adjust it. Im pretty sure you adjust the column and the shift linkage while both are in N.

So you might be able to adjust the play out of Reverse and have the backup lights come on at the same time.

79Chevypickup, have you checked your fuses?

79Chevypickup · 10-09-2003, 07:36 PM

I knew I forgot to mention something....

Yes, I checked all the fuses....

chevychic · 10-09-2003, 11:40 PM

I had the same problem with play in my shifter. It was something I just lived with until one day, I couldn't put my truck in park. I could hold it there, but if I let go it slipped into reverse. I had to engage the emergency brake while I was holding it in park until my lunch break that day. It took me about 15 minutes during my lunch break to locate the problem in the shift linkage and fix it. It's an easy fix and now my reverse lights stay on when I'm in reverse without me holding it in.
Check the shift linkage, it's a quick and easy fix....nothing to it.

apstguy · 10-10-2003, 12:24 AM

I found that the spring and plastic bushing was missing from my shift linkage making it so I could never get it to shift correctly or the reverse lights to come on. It also was very loud when I shifted it.

10-09-2003, 03:14 PM	#1
79Chevypickup MY TRUCK IS FOR SALE!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Pasadena, TX Posts: 292	I cant figure it out!! No matter what I try and do or look at, I cant get my reverse lights to come on... And yes I checked the bulbs, but no I can not check the sockets I dont have a voltmeter... But I would like to know if anyone knows what else could be the problem... Like if I went out right now and bought a voltmeter and I was getting power back there, then where could the problem lye? You know what I mean....? This just frustrates me!! __________________ 1979 Chevy LWB 350ci / 700R4 Edelbrock under the hood F O R S A L E OR T R A D E

10-09-2003, 03:21 PM	#2
Low87 been here longer than Liz Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Broken Arrow, OK Posts: 2,437	Mine is tricky too. When I have the shifter in reverse, there is a little play with the shifter. There is one 'sweet spot' where the lights will come on, but 99.9% of the time it doesn't. I'm not familiar with the mechanics in the column for the reverse lights, but I figure mine is loose or worn. Hopefully someone will have some insight. __________________ ~Greg~ Mac's Garage '87 SWB 6/8 drop "Piso" '08 CCSB Silverado DD the departed '89 GMC K5 Jimmy 4x4 "Rusty Nuts" '77 Chevy K5 Blazer 2wd '83 Chevy stepside "You get what you pay for" - Mike 'swervin ervin' Ervin

10-09-2003, 07:36 PM	#5
79Chevypickup MY TRUCK IS FOR SALE!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Pasadena, TX Posts: 292	I knew I forgot to mention something.... Yes, I checked all the fuses.... __________________ 1979 Chevy LWB 350ci / 700R4 Edelbrock under the hood F O R S A L E OR T R A D E

10-09-2003, 11:40 PM	#6
chevychic Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Chanhassen, MN Posts: 1,061	I had the same problem with play in my shifter. It was something I just lived with until one day, I couldn't put my truck in park. I could hold it there, but if I let go it slipped into reverse. I had to engage the emergency brake while I was holding it in park until my lunch break that day. It took me about 15 minutes during my lunch break to locate the problem in the shift linkage and fix it. It's an easy fix and now my reverse lights stay on when I'm in reverse without me holding it in. Check the shift linkage, it's a quick and easy fix....nothing to it. __________________ *ChevyChic* 86 Chevy K-10 If I can't be a good example, then I'll just have to be a horrible warning. "You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think" - Christopher Robin

10-10-2003, 12:24 AM	#7
apstguy LED King Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 2,088	I found that the spring and plastic bushing was missing from my shift linkage making it so I could never get it to shift correctly or the reverse lights to come on. It also was very loud when I shifted it. __________________ Tyler 1985 C10 305 w/ Bowtie OD TH700R4 3.42 LSD 202,000 miles 2006 Ford Focus ZX3 5-speed Stick 2016 Chevy Spark EV Gone: 2002.5 VW GTI 24v VR6 Gone: 2008 VW R32

10-09-2003, 04:09 PM	#3
383drvr Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Dallas, Tx. Posts: 308	Hmmm.... I have the same problem in my 83. The lights will engage only if I "hold" the lever in the "top" of the reverse notch in the column. So this basicly means I cant get the lights to come on.... I havent looked into it much, but I think theres a white neutral start switch in the column under the dash that engages the rev. lights. If its off a little, I think that may be the cause. I'm by NO means an expert, this is just what I've come up with by my own little self... :p I should try to get under there and tinker with it a little...

10-09-2003, 04:33 PM	#4
MylilBowTie Right turn Clyde Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 2,911	Sounds like your guy's shift linkage is worn out and you need to adjust your shift linkage just a hair. The rod that comes down on the underside of the cab. The rod goes into an eyelet with a nut. You can loosen it a little and adjust it. Im pretty sure you adjust the column and the shift linkage while both are in N. So you might be able to adjust the play out of Reverse and have the backup lights come on at the same time. 79Chevypickup, have you checked your fuses?



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