1964 back-up lights
Hi Guys. This is my first post. I am new to the site and love it. I am amazed regarding the wealth of knowledge and expertise many of you have. I am nearing completion of a frame off restoration on my 1964 Corvette convertible/four speed. I have installed all new wire harnesses, bulbs, switches, fuses etc. My problem/question is: when I turn the key to the on position, my back-up lights come on with the car in nuetral. When I shift into reverse, they go off. Any advise would greatly be appreciated. Thanks in advance. Tim
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Re: 1964 back-up lights
Hi Tim,
Given that no one else has responded yet, I’m going to venture a guess (my ’65 did not come with back-up lights). I found a photo online of a reproduction switch and a diagram of its installation (see below). Could you have accidentally installed the switch 180 degrees out of position? It looks like it is possible – if so, that would certainly explain its “opposite” operation.
Good luck!
Louis -
Re: 1964 back-up lights
Hi Louis and Joe. I really appreciate your help. I was wondering that too since everything else I wired is working just fine. The switch seems to be wired properly although I have not tested it with a light. If I understand you both correctly, you are saying to unbolt the switch, swap ends and bolt it back on? I will ask a friend to shift it in and out of reverse while I watch the reverse gear lever as well as the rod that goes to the switch to see exactly how they move. Then I wil try rotating the switch 180 degrees, bolt it up and see what happens. I will post again Monday and let you know what I found. Thank you very much!Comment
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Re: 1964 back-up lights
Tim-----
You could actually trouble-shoot this first by doing a pretty easy test with an VOM meter or continuity tester:
1) Remove the wiring connector that that connects the switch pigtail to the car's wiring;
2) Place the shifter in neutral or any gear but reverse;
3) Check for continuity of the 2 terminals at the connector. There should be NONE;
4) Place the shifter in reverse;
5) Check for continuity of the 2 terminals at the connector. There should be continuity.
If the above tests DO NOT check out as described, then you either have the switch installed wrong, you have the rod installed wrong, or the switch is defective.
If the above tests DO check out as described, then there's some other problem with the car's wiring.
This test is very easy to do. I'd try it before I did anything else. Let us know what you find.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: 1964 back-up lights
Tim -
The adjustment procedure wasn't shown in the A.I.M. until 1967, but here's how it's done:
In your photo, note the small hole at the end of the shorter of the two lever arms that actuate the switch; if you rotate that lever 90* counter-clockwise from the position in the photo, that hole will align with the similar small hole in the switch bracket located midway between the lever pivot and the screw slot at the left end.
With the actuating rod connected to the switch arm and to the reverse lever on the transmission and the two switch attaching screws installed but loose in their slots, insert a .090" diameter gage pin (a 5/64" drill is close enough) through the small hole in the bracket into the small hole in the lever arm, moving the bracket to align/install the pin, and tighten the screws. Then remove the pin. In the pinned position, the switch will be open; when you shift into reverse, the switch will be closed.Comment
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Re: 1964 back-up lights
John, Joe and Lewis,
Thank you all so much! This is the kind of technical/adjustment info I was hoping to receive. I am new at wiring and this really helps. It sounds like you guys have the problem "surrounded" and all I have to do is narrow it down. I am currently out of town and can't wait to check it out first thing Monday morning. It sounds pretty straight forward and I actually understand what all three of you are suggesting. I will report back ASAP on Monday or Tuesday.
PS, I have spent many hours as a guest on this site and have been truely amazed at John and Joe's expertize. Lewis, not to take anything away from you. I just recall John and/or Joe responding to many questions that are posted. They seem to know almost anything and everything someone wants to know. I truely admire their skill. I am so glad to be a member of the site now.
Thanks a million to all three of you! Have a great weekend.
TimComment
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Re: 1964 back-up lights
Louis, Joe and John,
Thanks to all of your sound advice the problem is solved. I did have the rod installed wrong. I performed the trouble shooting test prescribed by Joe with my multi-meter and everything tested 'backwards'. In other words, with the tranny in any gear but reverse, I had continuity. And in reverse, I did not have continuity. However, after revisiting my AIM, I was pretty sure I did not have the switch mounted 180 degrees backwards. Then, I looked at the rod and studied John's post on how to adjust the rod correctly and discovered that I had the rod installed incorrectly. I had the rod connected to the shorter of the two switch lever arms instead of the longer one which caused the lever arms to be rotated 90 degrees too far clockwise and therefore caused the switching mechanism to open and close 'backwards'. I rotated the lever arms 90 degrees counterclock wise and I performed John's adjustment procedure placing a 5/64 drill bit through the small hole in the bracket and into the small hole in the shorter lever arm with the rod into the longer of the two switch lever arms and it works like it just rolled off of the assembly line! Thanks to all of you! I really appreciate your help, patience and expertise. TimComment
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