Reverse lights

[Redline]

When I put my car (1996 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport, 5sp MT) in reverse, the backup lights are hit and miss. If I wiggle the shifter, I can get the lights to come on, but I need to carefully hold it in place for them to stay on. It's not a short in the bulbs, and it happens on both driver and passenger sides. Temp & weather play no role, either. I'm almost 100% sure it's a shifter/trans/electric combo issue.

It seems to me the contact is nearly shot - is it INSIDE the transmission? I'm hoping it's a sensor that I can easily replace, but I'm guessing it's not.

Any help would be appreciated. I'd rather not hardwire a switch, but if that's what it takes to pass inspection (which, I don't think even that would pass)...

 

[Nigel Prodrive]

revoise lite contact is inside gearbox, sorry

 

[Redline]

Thought so... thanks for confirming it.

 

[Nigel Prodrive]

there may be a service port for that reverse switcheroo, will check Ye Olde shop manual tonite

 

[diabloadsit]

Mine is staying on sometimes. I think it is the contact on the plug.

 

[Evan]

both of you should check the voltage as it comes out of the tranny. jeremy you should have someone wiggle the shifter for you while you watch for flickering voltage. a blinker bulb hooked up to wire would be just as good as a multimeter. if the voltage is bad there then you know its the internal switch, if it seems right then its somewhere else down the line.

there is a relay under the dash for the reverse lights that could be sticking as well.

 

[Nigel Prodrive]

reverse lite switch is cleverly designed to be replaced without cracking trans case. (doh, thanks, service book!)

it's a round/cylinder shaped housing on left side of gearbox, waay up under where it's always grubby. probe plug for continuity with shifter in reverse; if you don't get continutiy, replace switch.

this is a lot simpler than I was rememvbering

(relatively speaking)

 

[Redline]

Very awesome info, both of you. Thanks. Next time I change the oil I'll get on this.

Next stop... get price on sensor "just in case".

After all, I do have 225,xxx on the car....