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Reverse switch (for lights) not activating...


Arquest

Member
Joined
Oct 25, 2007
Messages
13
Transmission
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I have no reverse lights on my '92 Ranger (5 speed M/Trans - Mazda). I have isolated the problem to the reverse light switch on the side of the trans. I have removed the switch and verified that it actually does work both by using a volt meter and also by activating the switch by pressing on the small ball on the back - the lights work when that is done...

Now for the question(s) - there is supposed to be a small metal rod behind the switch that pushes against the ball on the switch and closing the circuit when the truck is placed in reverse. I can see that this rod is missing altogether (by looking into the hole using a mirror and flashlight I can see that there is no rod)... I have no idea why this was removed but before I take the truck in for a DMV inspection I want to see if I can fix this problem...

So - anyone out there dealt with this before?
- Is this a simple case of extracting a similar rod out through the switch hole a junk yard trans using a magnet or something similar?
-Can it be installed in the reverse manner - by simply sliding a replacement rod in through the switch hole from the outside of the trans?
- Any guesses why someone may have removed it in the first place (other than the obvious "because the previous owner or mechanic was an idiot") - perhaps the reverse lights were stuck on and this was their solution? Maybe the rod fell into the trans?
- Brings up another question - if I slide a replacement rod in do you think it may cause other issues (binding/falling into trans).

Haven't found much info yet on this forum or out on the web about this situation (other than a pic showing a switch and the missing rod lying on a table)... Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance...
 
I have a carcass MO5D sitting in the yard.

I'll pull the switch (and possibly the top cover) so I can see what you mean.

Check back tonight around 6.
 
Good news.
It is a steel pushrod you are missing.

I'd be happy to mail this one to you, or you can get one from the JY.
I simply removed the switch and tilted the tranny and it fell right out.
Ignore all your other questions, it's trapped in a bore, can't migrate, bend, fold spindle or mutilate anything at all.

I see no reason you couldn't pull one out with a magnet, there's nothing holding it.

If you want this one, Private Message me your address and I'll drop it in the mail, no charge.

Welcome to The Ranger Station!
 
Last edited:
Earl43P: Thank you very much for firing out that part to me right away. I appreciate your generosity and the time you took to have a look into this for me!

Confirmed: The small steel rod was simply missing. I put removed the switch from the side of the transmission housing, put a couple drops of oil on the rod you sent, easily slid it into the hole, replaced the switch and now everything is back to full operation.

For others out there that may face this, although Earl43P sent me the rod I was missing, it would be very easy to remove from a JY transmission using a small magnet or similar. There is nothing holding this rod into place / it just lies in hole behind the electrical switch for the reverse lights...

If you trace your problem to this switch located on the side of the manual transmission (ie: Lights and fuses are OK) then it is easy to jump across the switch to see if that is the problem - if you need a new switch they can be ordered from Autozone (or many other places I am sure) for around $10. In my case the switch was OK - it was the small steel rod behind it that was missing.

I have no idea why someone removed this previously - it is weird what people do sometimes...

Problem fixed! Thanks...

Just a side note: NJ DMV does not inspect the reverse lights during their vehicle inspections...
 
Glad to do it.

Good luck with your NOx problem.
 
Thx - still on the fence whether to start dumping parts in myself or pay someone to stab a few PITA items in so I can save my knuckles...
 
Could you possibly give measurements of this rod? Maybe i can just come up with something, at least temporarily to pass inspection..

Thanks!
 
Did a search and found this thread - my son is having the same problem. We tested the lights and circuit and narrowed it down to the switch. After replacing the switch, we still have no reverse lights (we can light up the reverse lights by jumping the hot to the switch leg in the cap that slides on to the switch).

The previous owner has a mechanic that recently "rebuilt" the transmission, so the missing rod is definitely a possibility. When my son is home, I will do an inspection for the rod.

Earl43P, you mentioned that the OP could get one of those rods from JY. Is that another member of this forum? If they are not too expensive, I would like to get one so that when my son is home, we can just install the rod if it is missing.
 
JY equals junkyard. It's easy to miss the meaning when abbreviations are used. If you Personal Message Earl43P i"m sure he would measure it for you being the generous guy that he is.:icon_cheers:
 
Is this a part that I might be able to get from the Ford pars counter?

Is this something that I could cut to size from a piece of steel rod that I could pick up from Home Depot? If so, could someone give me the diameter of the rod and also the length?

Thanks,
RC
 
I'd hate to guess at the length and diameter. The ends were rounded.

I looked at my old PMs and didn't see that I didn't measure it.
Should have.

You'd be surprised what the dealer can get you, cheap. I'd try if you have one nearby, call first. Some of those parts guys are pretty sharp.

But yeah, you could trial and error one pretty easy. I'm not pulling mine out to measure for ya. Mock it up with a wooden dowel, plastic rod, whatever. If the switch won't thread in all the way, it's too long (leave it in reverse).
Steeler's lost.
 
Boy o boy this reverse light problem I am having is getting more and more interesting... I am hoping it is just the fuse (I already replaced the switch and bulbs). Is the fuse on the main panel? I am away from my truck.
 
93 used fuse #5 (15A) in the cab. Shared with the turn signal lamps on that year.

I don't have 95 info. I'd make sure the rod is in the transmission. Pull the switch and you should be able to see and touch it. A magnet will remove it, nothing holds the rod in there.
 
Well I did have a clutch job done a few years back. Not sure why they would have removed that rod. Otherwise the tranny has never been touched that I know of. I will check the fuse, if that that doesn't fix it, I will take out my new switch and see if pressing the ball makes the lights work. I am thinking maybe the rod is worn some and isn't making enough contact. If it is missing then... WTF? I can't remember when I first noticed them not working. It has been awhile.
 
It was the fuse. :) I had to change the cig lighter too. (It hadn't worked for years now) Well at least I have a new fuse, new bulbs, and a new tranny switch now...

I went through and double checked all the fuses with the owners manual. A few were the wrong sizes so I corrected those as well.
 

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