All,

I just changed my first transmission. I am proud of myself for completing a major task. Now that I have everything back together and running. My reverse lights don't work. It was getting dark so I didn't get a chance to check the bulbs. I am thinking that they maybe okay. If they are, do anyone know how to specifically check the backup light switch to see if it is bad. I know how to work with a multimeter a little bit, but not enough to know that I am doing something correctly. Please assist. Thanks.

 

Install a jumper on the connector to the backup light switch and turn ignition to On. Backup lights should come on. If not, the bulbs or lamps are defective.

If lights come on, the backup light switch may be defective. Remove and exercise to see if it can be corrected or replace switch. It should normally be open (infinite resistance), or zero resistance closed.

It''s also possible that transmission is not actuating the switch, but this seems unlikely.

I assume this is a manual trans. If not, then AT gear position switch is problem not trans backup switch.

Put info in signature line to avoid future problems.

good luck

 

Sorry. The car is my 91 Honda accord. It is has a manual transmission. I purchased a new backup switch from advance and now the lights will not cut off. It stays on throughout all the gears. I tested the circuit with a paperclip and the lights came on. It cutoff when I turned the ignition off. The old switch the wires were shot that is why the lights did not work. Now that I have the new switch, it will not turn off. Like I said I installed the new tranny, it mirrored the old one both were H2U5. I did have to change the cover because some of the mounting bolts were broken. I tried the ohm meter. It did not change when moving in and out of reverse, but I don't know if I did it correctly. Please assist.

 

It may be a faulty replacement switch; but, do the following:

With the ignition ON, leave it out of reverse.

Disconnect both wire connectors from the switch. With the multimeter set to test for continuity, touch the red lead of the meter to one of the switch wires and the black lead to the other switch wire. If there is continuity, the switch is defective, meaning the switch is staying closed even when not in reverse.

 

It is also possible that something about the mounting is forcing the switch to close. It could be an trans assembly issue or switch mounting issue. If switch is open when removed, I would examine the installation carefully for something amiss.

good luck

 

I would also say to test each wire to the switch. With the wires disconnected the ones going "to the car", one wire should have continuity to ground and the other should not.....possible during the install the one wire got pinched creating the ground.