I have a 1969 L71 4 speed manual... the reverse light have never work as long as I had the car. I am pretty sure it is the Switch, but I have no idea where to find it... I checked on the shifter (and broke the fiber optic lense in the process), I checked all over the the transmission and the shifting linkage... I know what the part looks like, but I can't find it. Can anyone help?

 

i have early '71 4spd,back-up switch is on left (drivers) side of trans,under linkage,very close(inches) away from exhaust pipe.two wires,one pink go up firewall and connect to harness.if it's not there,thats why you have no back-ups.did you check fuse?jc

 

I didn't see andthing that resembles wires or a switch near the linkage... very possible it's missing. I'll check again.

If it is missing, I know I can order a new one, but the problem then will be that I don't know how to put it on since I don't have the old one there to use as refernce. Any suggestions?

 

The backup light switch is located on the left side of the transmission. Jack up the car, crawl underneath and take a look. Could be that you're linkage rod to the reverse on the transmission has come loose. Those little pins aren't very sturdy. To check to make sure that it's the switch just unplug the connector [ pink and brown? wires ] and cross them to make the lights come on. There's also a heat shield that mounts down there to protect the wires from the exhaust. If that's not there it will fry the wires prematurely. No big problem, though. I've had my '69 for 32 years and I've had to change that switch a couple of times. If you need the parts Ecklers has them and they're not expensive. Good to talk to another '69 owner. Not that I don't like the rest of you guys, I'm just picky.

 

1980, if your switch isn't there look for a mounting bracket. If that's not there then you'll need to order that too. But check for the connection coming down the firewall. Pink and brown wire going into an L shaped connector.

 

1980,seems clear to me that the switch is not there,mount bracket is about 4" long,flat bottom,curved cutout on top,two bolts.switch w/ small heat shield bolts to bracket.short bent rod connects to reverse rod of linkage.this sounds complicated,but believe us,it's not good luck jc

 

Ok well I think I know where I can get these parts... but if you know somewhere, let me know.

My other problem now is that I see nothing around the transmission that resembles wires. Can someone tell me where the wires come from so maybe I can find where it was cut?

Once I know wher the wiring is and how to get it back to the transmission area I can buy the switch and other related hardware. It would also be nice to know where the wiring is, so I can test it.

Any suggestions, descriptions, or diagrams would be apprecitated.

 

1980, pop your hood. Trace your wiring harness as it crosses the firewall in front of the driver's seat. You should find the wires to the switch branching out of the bundle and running down to the underside of the body. If your underbody insulation is still there they may be run underneath it. But you should be able to find them. They're the only wires running down on the left side. Remember the colors [ pink and brown? ].

 

Thanks... I think I'm good now.

 

That's great! Listen, when you get everything together let us know, okay?