for some reason my reverse lights dont come on. the bulbs are new and i know they work cause i was able to get them to turn on once. dont know what controls the reverse lights. But when it turned on i was wiggling the shifter trying to see if it had to be in a certain spot to go on.
88 dodge aries
Auto or standard?
Edit- If it's auto, jump the two outer wires on the round 3 pin connector of the switch. This switch is at the front of the transmission (front of vehicle)
It it's a manual, the switch should be on the selector linkage on the trans and it'll be the only 2 wire switch there. Again jump the 2 wires with a cotter pin.
Let us know how that goes.
sorry its auto. ill give it a try tomorrow if its not snowing too much. Which would be the easiest way to approach the connector
It should be easy to reach from under the hood. Check it with the key on and you should have power at the rear sockets.
i didnt see any 3 wire plugs. maybe i just missed it dont really know where im looking
look on the top part of the trans , its almost at the front , its a round shaped plug with 3 wires
if you need to replace it , go to the dealer or junkyard
always seem to have a problem with aftermarket
ok i found it , it was on the front side of the tranny under the lower rad. hose which is prob why i didnt find it right away. I jumped the outer 2 and the lights turned on.
check the plug/switch pins for any corrosion.. clean if so. And even if not still plug the connector back in, could be just a bad connection. Try these first.
ok ill try cleaning them tomorrow after work. if this doesnt work then whats the next step?
well if you jumped the 2 wires at the wire connector side and the lights worked then that leaves you to a new swtich for sure. So get a switch. They functioned... which means you have power... which means you need a switch.
how hard is it to replace the switch
easy, wrench or socket to remove it... However i forget if they might be different from vehicle to vehicle on these tm's, you may need a sensor type socket (open in an area so the socket can go over the pin section. However I dont think the pin section is larger than the hex portion of the switch. You should be able to use a deep socket of size and get it off. Wrench may not work. I was able to get a regular deep socket on my mini's switch when it was auto before its 5 speed conversion.
now i just have to try to find a working switch from a 22 year old car lol the search begins
no, you can find them at rockauto, etc.
i take that back i cant find one for your car, i tried a few places. rockauto has 2 choices, but both are for manual trans.
If you're out junkyarding, I'm 99% sure it's the same switch for every 3 speed trans, so you can get it from a gen 1 neon as well. Try to take the gasket with it. Maybe try dealership for the switch? I bet it's still available.
installed a new switch and it still doesnt work
new dealer , new used or new aftermarket?
Then it has to be a matter of adjustment between your shift cable and your valve body. Assuming new parts or known good parts were used.
I usually do it like this:
Block the wheels and select neutral. Verify neutral with the key. It should start. Shut it off and leave the key on.
Move one position forward on the shifter to select reverse. The lights should come on. If not, loosen the 13mm head bolt that holds the shifter cable bracket to the transmission about 3/4 of a turn. It might be a little tucked under the trans mount.
Swist or tap the cable bracket until the lights come on. A little clockwise or a little counter clockwise. (it helps to have a friend to watch.)
Once the lights come on, tighten the 13mm bolt.
Varify the car starts in park and neutral. If it doens't, readjust the cable until it does.
Line up the indicator on the dash (if equipped) by spinning the small white wheel until it lines up.
That pretty much sums up how I have always done it.
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