Checking my 94 over because I have to take it in for a safety check Tuesday before I can get insurance. Noticed the backup lights aren't working. Both bulbs are good. Put new ones in anyways. Fuse is good, put a new one in anyway. I tried popping it in and out of reverse a bunch of times to give the switch a workout to no avail. I jacked the car up and had a look for the switch on the tranny (6sp) and dang I can hardly get my fingers on it let alone unplug it. I had planned on removing the plug and jumping the wires. The car only has 34k on the odo. Is it heard of that the switch can go bad? Could it be something else?

I would start with the switch. I like the idea of jumping the wires, cause if that works, then the circuit is ok.

Switch is a common problem. Id' check there first, if not that you're gonna be tracking down a bad wire.

Matthew

Well it's the switch. Not fun to get at. I had to bend a piece of coat hanger in a short L to lift the tab on the wire connector which, of course was on the top, and I pryed the connectoer off with a long screwdriver. I bent a short piece of wire in a tight u-shape and taped it up to stiffen it and shoved it in the connector while holding it with needlenose. It worked. The reverse lights came on. I'll have to order a switch ($85). I guess I'll have my inspection done anyway and pay the extra to bring it back for the recall check after the lights work. Maybe if the guys at the garage are nice they'll give me a pass so I can get it registered.
Hey anyone ever try to fix one of these switches?

Another tip for removing the switch. The ONLY tool that will work is a 7/8" deep offset box end wrench. Don't even try anything else unless you're prepared to remove the slave cylinder.

My 92 has 173k miles... and the reverse switch works just fine... thank's for the warning, tho... another fix to not look forward too...

My switch has probably quit from lack of use, long periods sitting.

wow. That's a malfunction I don't need.