Back up lights inop (auto trans)

dionski · Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2015 7:20 pm Post subject: Back up lights inop (auto trans)

Searching through the archives on threads having to do with back up light issues, I find posts pointing to the likely culprit being the back up light switch on the transmission, and others just as confidently pointing to the neutral safety switch in the shifter console. Why would the back up lights be actuated (or be prevented from actuating) by two separate switches? Also, can anyone describe the precise location of the b/u light switch on a 1.9 auto trans? Can't find it.

IdahoDoug · Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2015 7:34 pm Post subject:

Pull the black plastic box around the shifter and you'll see it quite easily. It's a big old fashioned switch with two wires and if you move the shifter a couple times you'll see what needs to be done to clean the contacts (likely), or replace (unlikely).

Doug
_________________
1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

nickma · Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2015 7:36 pm Post subject:

This is the switch used in all of automatic vanagons as far as I know. May be all you need to do is clean your current one.

http://www.germansupply.com/home/customer/product.php?productid=17419&cat=303&page=1
_________________
I need more torque.

Tobias Duncan · Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2015 8:28 pm Post subject:

ThankYouJerry · Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2015 10:40 pm Post subject:

Similarly, another thing that happened to me recently was...

For some reason the "L" bracket that the switch is screwed onto bent downward making contact iffy and affected whether or not my van would start Evil or Very Mad

and whether or not the reverse lights worked . At first I thought it was a bad switch. But all I had to do was to take a small pair of channel locks and bend the bracket upward. Now the switch works perfectly. However, it's always good to have a spare switch and wiper in the glovebox Wink

.

Wiper: http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=21754&category_id=&category_parent_id=

Switch: http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=21767&category_id=21754&category_parent_id=
_________________
1990 Multivan - "Ohana"
1.8T, Auto w/3.27 R&P + Peloquin TBD

dionski · Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2015 12:52 am Post subject:

Captjon1959 · Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2015 1:46 am Post subject:

I had the same problem for 5 years but it didn't cause me much concern and I added it to my lisr of things to fix. I replaced the neutral switch last year and suddenly I have backup lights,
_________________
1984 Westfalia Wolfsburg Edition
Former 1.9 L now Bostig Ford Zetec

djkeev · Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2015 3:29 am Post subject:

There is NOT a back up switch on the Automatic transmission.

Just one switch, that switch is inside the shift lever cover.

If that switch works, check your bulbs, check your grounds, check you fuses, check your wiring for compromises.

Dave
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