Reverse lights come on in 5th!

[Sterret]

Hello all:

I recently bought a 1993 Ranger with a manual 5 speed transmission. I'm not sure what trans is in it, but its 2WD, with a 2.3L engine. (maybe that info will narrow it down...)

I have an odd problem. My reverse lights come on when the transmission is shifted into 5th gear! They also come on when the trans is shifted into reverse (like they are supposed to). I did a quick check of the wiring underneath, and didn't find anything obvious.

Any idea what could cause this?

I did search, but didn't find anything...

Thanks in advance.

 

[Combs Customs]

You have the M5OD Trans.

My 91 does the same thing. Its something related to the adjustment of the 5th/Reverse Shift Fork. There is an exteral adjustment. Driver side towards the back. There is a 10mm bolt and a large Star nut. Loosen the 10mn, dont remove. Then you can turn the Star nut to adjust the shifter engagement. This will also change how your shifter goes into 5th/Rev.

The Star nut is on a cam eccentric. It moves the fork forward and backward.

 

[The purple one]

With my 93 2.3 3.45 gears and 235's. I do not have that problem because I can not use 5th. Not sure why

 

[Sterret]

You have the M5OD Trans.

My 91 does the same thing. Its something related to the adjustment of the 5th/Reverse Shift Fork. There is an external adjustment. Driver side towards the back. There is a 10mm bolt and a large Star nut. Loosen the 10mn, dont remove. Then you can turn the Star nut to adjust the shifter engagement. This will also change how your shifter goes into 5th/Rev.

The Star nut is on a cam eccentric. It moves the fork forward and backward.

Thanks for the response.

Tried that tonight...messed around with it for over an hour with no luck
Did I mention it is 30 degrees outside here...?

 

[AllanD]

Nooooooo!!!

That adjustment for for 5th-REV fork adjustment is "downstream"
of the reverse light switch which is mounted to the top cover.

The top cover pieces do what they do and that adjustment does
NOTHING to them.

However messing with that adjustment can screw up 5th and Reverse
via reducing engagement.

The thing is the detents for the rails in the top cover are NOT adjustable
so you must make the 5th-rev fork adjustable to accomodate the detents

I'm failing to understand why 5th would engage the reverse light switch unless the top cover was incorrectly assembled.


AD

 

[Sterret]

Ok, now that I have goofed up the 5th/reverse adjustment, does anyone know how to get it back where it belongs...?

 

[AllanD]

With the trans in the chassis and both the top cover and tailshaft installed?

Sadly No...

AD

 

[Sterret]

With the trans in the chassis and both the top cover and tailshaft installed?

Sadly No...

AD

Well, isn't that just great...!

Note to all:
Make sure you know what you are talking about before giving people advice!

 

[hartwrenches]

You can take the top cover off with the tranny in the truck. YOU probably shouldn't. As for a generic adjustment, set it, drive it and see how it feels. It may take a couple trys but you should be able to get close.

Don't knock other peoples advice. For one its free, so it may not be the best, but it gives you a starting point. Two, you should ALWAYS double check things YOU have never done before, because people will assume YOU know what your talking about.

 

[Combs Customs]

My bad for the bad info. I know mine needs adjusted to get it right. To get it close enough, as you turn the adjuster nut, the "throw distance" should closely match between 3rd and 5th. If the gears engage and don't grind I don't see how it can be any better adjusted.

That's how im going to fix my lights on my tranny. I can feel my 5th gear throw is too short compared to my Reverse throw. Once the distance of throw is better centered, my lights should be fixed.

And I have changed the adjustment on mine. I got it where it works, I didn't find out about the reverse lights till later when a buddy told me about it.

 

[dbrutherford]

I changed my switch and bulbs yet my reverse lights still do not come on. I have a 95 4.0L 4x4 Ext Cab Ranger. After reading this thread, I don't want ot think about fooling with that star nut. I saw it when changing the switch and thought to myself I am not even attempting to mess with that. I was hoping the switch was the easy fix. All the other lights back there work

 

[locovaca]

I changed my switch and bulbs yet my reverse lights still do not come on. I have a 95 4.0L 4x4 Ext Cab Ranger. After reading this thread, I don't want ot think about fooling with that star nut. I saw it when changing the switch and thought to myself I am not even attempting to mess with that. I was hoping the switch was the easy fix. All the other lights back there work

Have you tried jumpering the two pins on the reverse switch at the trans together? Should turn on the lights. If not, your problem is in the wiring.

 

[dbrutherford]

It was the fuse. I knew I should have checked the simple things first. Instead I went the long/hard way of doing things... Bulbs, switch, fuse. At least everything is fixed now