reverse lights don't work

[raltz]

can someone please assist me, sorry new to the whole datsun world, as well was never good with electrical with any car,

both my reverse lights don't work, did the obvious and changed the bulbs, and cleaned the sockets, followed the wires to make sure they aren't busted anywhere, still nothing, other than the fuses in the center council are there fuses somewhere else i should be looking...anyone have any ideas why they wouldn't be working.

Thank you

[SteveJ]

Manual or automatic? Also, I suggest putting the year of your car in your posts.

If it's a manual, I would suspect two likely things:

1. The reverse switch or wiring at the switch is bad.

2. The transmission is not depressing the switch.

Steve

[raltz]

thank you, i do have a manual 1973 datsun 240z,

sorry again im new, so can you tell me where the reverse switch is located or the how to check the if the transmission is not depressing the switch

[SteveJ]

Download a copy of the FSM. It's probably described in the electrical section or the transmission section. Also, I think the Haynes manual covers the topic.

[mlc240z]

Right hand (passenger) side of the trans.

[Zs-ondabrain]

2 red with black stripe wires. Follow them from the lower firewall (the engine harness) back toward the tranny. They have open bullet connectors on them. The switch is on the passenger side of the tranny and around the middle.

[raltz]

thank you everybody!!

[Jeff G 78]

Once you follow the wires to the trans, you will likely find that one or both wires have broken off the reverse switch. There is a rubber boot covering the wires and switch, so you'll have to slide it back to see them. They can simply be soldered back onto the switch. Once you disconnect the bullet connectors, the switch can be unscrewed from the trans for soldering. Some oil might dribble out depending on the oil level and angle the car is at. It won't leak much as long as the trans wasn't overfilled.

[raltz]

this is a huge favor, or maybe unless someone can tell me off the top of their head if they know,

but when i purchased my car i could already see the previous owner hacked and sliced some wires and i think did a quick re-attachment of everything...

i did locate the switch, and there are 2 wires attached, i was wondering what colors should be attached to the switch? i have 2 green wires attached to it right now, but i noticed that there are two other wires that are bundled together with those green wires that are red with black stripe, connected to nothing

i noticed that none of the green wires connected to the switch had power going to them, but one of the red with black wires did have power going to them,

just wondering did the previous owner connect the right wires back? and if the red/black wires are to connect to the switch, does anyone know where the 2 green wires are to go? or the other way around, if the green ones are the ones meant to be attached, then where do the red/black go?

Thank you

[Jeff G 78]

With the key in the "on" position, touch the red/black wires together and see if the reverse lamps illuminate. It sounds like the reverse switch isn't connected. There is also a neutral switch on some transmissions which could be what you are seeing. The two switches look exactly the same and might actually be the same. The neutral switch is located close to the shifter, and the reverse switch is located near the fill plug.

[raltz]

thank you jeff g 78,

would you happen to know what those mystery green wires i have right now connected to it are for?

[Jeff G 78]

Read above raltz. They are likely the neutral switch wires. They are only used on a few years and on automatics.