I have an 88 GT with a getrag 5 speed. The reverse lights havnt worked since I bought the car and I finally got around to checking it out. If I jump the connector at the switch my lights come on, so I thought must be the switch. I bought a new switch from fiero store and installed it. Still no back up lights. So either I got a second bad switch which I havnt tested yet, or whatever is inside the trans that is supposed to press the detent in the switch ain’t doing it. Has anyone come across this and is there an easy fix or at least one that doesn’t require a trans tear down? I searched the forum far and wide and couldn’t find anything. Thanks I. Advance.

Paul

The switch mounted on the left-side of the shifter turns the lights on / off. This is a normally-open switch. That means that shifting into reverse operates the switch making the connection. Check to see that the switch works using a test light or continuity tester. The switch should operate when the "button" is depressed. If the switch is good, check alignment and adjustment of the switch on the shifter. You should be able to use a test light or continuity tester to determine if the shifter is operating the switch when it is in reverse. If the switch is good and the shifter is operating it correctly, check the C500 and the C401 connectors for a loose connection.

MikeInSydney, that location would be for the 84-86 4-speed. The 88 switches were in the transmission. One of our guys had a similar problem that the lights still didn't work after replacing the switch, though when removed, plugged in, and the ball on the bottom was pressed, the lights would illuminate. He determined that something inside the transmission had shifted, so he used a Dremel tool and cut down the shoulder of the switch, trial fitted, and reground until the lights worked.

You can read his tech article here:
http://gafieroclub.org/pics...sletters/Feb2021.pdf

[This message has been edited by fierofool (edited 08-19-2021).]

My bad🤗. He did say '88. I read '86 and double checked my '86 FSM. Oops!

Awesome, that is the line of thought I was on. Thanks for the replies. I will take the switch back out and do some measuring/dremeling.

Thanks again
Paul

Like Gabe said, do a little Dremeling at a time and trial fitting. Do the backup lights work with the switch plugged and depressing the ball on the switch? If not, it's in your wiring circuit.

quote Originally posted by PAUL66: I bought a new switch from fiero store and installed it.

unless im just stupid, I dont think the fiero store has the backup switches for the fiero 5 speed? back when i first got my car i searched everywhere to find the switch, i eventually found it on the reddevilriver dot com website.

My 87 5 speed has it on the transmission as well. It is not just the 88's. I also got my switch from Red Devil River