Reverse Lights

[jim28607]

I noticed that the reverse lights on my recently purchased 69 rs/ss, did not work, did a little investigating, found the switch was unplugged, made the connection and the lights stay on all of the time, when the key is on, regardless of what gear the trans is in, why would my reverse lights stay on all of the time?

Thanks for Your Help!
Jim

[BillOhio]

Does it have headers?

[jim28607]

No headers

[JKZ27]

Jim, is manual or auto? I cant remember.

[jim28607]

Oops my fault I didn't post, Manual Transmission

[william]

Lower lock rod may be missing. Runs from the reverse lever on the trans to the swivel on the frame. When shifting to reverse it rotates the column, activating the switch.

With the lights on, grasp the lower collar on the column and give it a 1/4 turn or so. If the lights go out, it's missing the rod. Sometimes the upper rod is also missing.

[Z28Project]

Yes, it wasn't uncommon to chuck that whole system back in the day, and then try to remember to rotate the column by hand to turn the BU lights off while driving.

[jim28607]

Lower lock rod may be missing. Runs from the reverse lever on the trans to the swivel on the frame. When shifting to reverse it rotates the column, activating the switch.

With the lights on, grasp the lower collar on the column and give it a 1/4 turn or so. If the lights go out, it's missing the rod. Sometimes the upper rod is also missing.

 Interesting, Thank You Very Much!! I will Check that out.
Jim

[alewis422]

I have a '67 SS and the reverse lights stay on when the key is on accessory or when the car is running regardless of the gear it is in.
I have both manuals, but I'm having a hard time tracking down where the switch might be.
It's a manual with the 4 speed Muncie transmission.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

[rare396bronze]

67-68  is mounted on the driver's side of the transmission.

[1968RSZ28]

67-68  is mounted on the driver's side of the transmission.

Yup, so simple and reliable!

Paul

[alewis422]

Ha, yea...reliable 
So...is there a way/is it worth it to test that switch? Or should I just buy a replacement? I'm assuming its just the device with a black and green wire that plugs into the drivers side of the transmission that you mentioned?

Thanks!

[z28z11]

Ha, yea...reliable 
So...is there a way/is it worth it to test that switch? Or should I just buy a replacement? I'm assuming its just the device with a black and green wire that plugs into the drivers side of the transmission that you mentioned?

Thanks!

The '68 switch mounts on a bracket that bolts onto the side cover, has a link arm to the reverse arm on the transmission that actuates the switch when the shifter is placed in reverse; you can simply drop the link and move the switch back and forth to test the action if you can get under the car (or preferably get it up on a lift).

The '69 switch mounts on top of the steering column under the dash, actuated by the internal sleeve in the column which is in turn actuated by the back drive rod/ bell crank that links with the reverse arm on the trans. My original was missing when I bought my Z in '73, the steering column back drive arm was wired up to keep it from actuating the switch and leaving the lights on all the time. You could usually tell when a car had been fitted with headers from a mile away and going away - reverse lights would be on all the time because a lot of people didn't go to the trouble of securing the column arm, allowing it to drop and actuate the switch.

The good ole days -

[ssl78]

On 67 and 68 there is a adjustment where the switch mounts to the bracket