Mine never worked but it was off the road soon after I bought it so now that I'm almost finshed fixing it up...

I just saw them come on when I shifted into R (manual trans). I moved into and out of reverse and they flashed on and off. My question is this; when I take off the shift boot to see the shifter mechanism, what should I look for as the culprit for the intermittant reverse lights? Is there a switch that may be bad (typically) or maybe a plug or worn wires?

 

There is a plug on top of the manual transaxle with two wires. That is the reverse switch. Not at the shifter.

 

Is that switch visable from somewhere or do I have to feel for it?

Damn, I need to get the factory service manual!

You sure are the helpful type huh? hail.gif

 

The automatic has the switch at the shifter. The manual has the switch inside the transaxle. The switch is probly going bad.

 

^ what he said. I hope for your sake the switch can be replaced from the outside...

You will have to remove the air filter housing to get to it. It is the only electrical thing on the manual transmission.

 

So I should be able to remove the air box and have someone move the shifter around to see the linkage and look for a two-wire switch?

My manual says it's on the side of the transaxle and is replaceable but not adjustable.

Funny how the picture showing the swicth has a caption that reads: "The back-up switch connector is located on top of the transaxle."!

The picture shows it's on the top... I guess it's on top!

Autozone sells the switch for $12.99.

 

No you can't see it. It's going to be a large plastic connection near the shifter lever. That's all you can see from the outside. I don't recall how to remove it.

 

sorry to bring things out of the dusty file cabinet sitting in the attic. I'm a noob and my Girlfriends reverse lights are out . she has a 97 1.8l 5speed tib. did anyone ever find out if this could be fixed from the outside.

 

It depends on what's wrong.

 

i'm not quite understanding what you mean. The reverse light will nto come on when the car is put in reverse. I mean sure it has 210k on it so does anyone think it might just be blown bulbs.