My reverse lights aren't working. Is there a switch on the transmission connected to linkage, or does it operate solely through neutral safety switch?

Thanks!

They are switched through the range sensor.


Make sure fuse 7 in the fuse block behind the glove box is good.


Move the shifter slightly back & forth from the reverse position to be sure the cable in not slightly out of adjustment. It can’t be too far off or it would not start since the park/neutral safety switch is also in that sensor.


If that doesn’t work, to be sure the problem is the sensor, unplug it & with the key on check for 12v power (from fuse 7) at pin 1 (pink/dark blue wire). If good put a jumper wire between pins 1 & 6 (white/light green wire). That should bypass the sensor & light the back up lights. If that lights them, the range sensor is bad. If not there is a break in the wire from the sensor to the lights.

Stupid me created a post before looking around myself. It was the fuse, as in the fuse wasn't even there!

But for future reference, when you say "they are switched through the range sensor", what exactly does that mean? The neutral safety switch? Something else that senses the gear selector position?

They use what is called the range sensor for the park/neutral switch, back up lights switch, & some of the computer shifting control. There are 8 wire involved. So, yes, I guess anything that is affected by the shifter position.

I’m sure it is more expensive than a simple b/u switch so good that it was only the fuse (missing). It may have been removed because it kept blowing from a short or it could have been “robbed” for use for another circuit that blew its fuse. Just keep an eye on things like if the b/u lights quit working.