1978 L-82 4spd back-up switch

[James W.]

Hello all....

As I've gutted the interior of my car to redo the interior, I was trying to figure out why someone had installed a "toggle" switch on the driver's side of the transmission tunnel......used to activate the cars reverse lights. I peeked under the car and realized that the back-up switch was missing from it's mounting point on the drivers side of the tranny. The linkage rod for the back-up switch is still attached to the shifter linkage, but the switch itself is gone. Why would someone do this.....I don't know?

Here's my question.....coming out from under the firewall end of the transmission tunnel are a green and pink wire....attached to the formerly mounted toggle switch. I was looking at a reproduction back-up switch, and the mount up seems straight-forward enough, but my concern is the new switch has a typical GM electrical plug-in connector......while the other end, the toggle switch end, will have only bare pink and green wires once I dispose of the toggle switch.

What am I missing.....I'll assume I need to splice in a male (or female) GM connector so I can connect into the replacement back up switch's electrical connector. Also, how are those wires run through the car itself. As I mentioned, I have about a foot of pink and green wire coming out of the firewall end of the tranny tunnel. Do the pink and green wires run under the car? And what kind of lead will I need to splice onto the pink and green wires to make the connection?

Any help will surely be appreciated, thanks so much, Jim

[Joe L.]

Re: 1978 L-82 4spd back-up switch

Hello all....

As I've gutted the interior of my car to redo the interior, I was trying to figure out why someone had installed a "toggle" switch on the driver's side of the transmission tunnel......used to activate the cars reverse lights. I peeked under the car and realized that the back-up switch was missing from it's mounting point on the drivers side of the tranny. The linkage rod for the back-up switch is still attached to the shifter linkage, but the switch itself is gone. Why would someone do this.....I don't know?

Here's my question.....coming out from under the firewall end of the transmission tunnel are a green and pink wire....attached to the formerly mounted toggle switch. I was looking at a reproduction back-up switch, and the mount up seems straight-forward enough, but my concern is the new switch has a typical GM electrical plug-in connector......while the other end, the toggle switch end, will have only bare pink and green wires once I dispose of the toggle switch.

What am I missing.....I'll assume I need to splice in a male (or female) GM connector so I can connect into the replacement back up switch's electrical connector. Also, how are those wires run through the car itself. As I mentioned, I have about a foot of pink and green wire coming out of the firewall end of the tranny tunnel. Do the pink and green wires run under the car? And what kind of lead will I need to splice onto the pink and green wires to make the connection?

Any help will surely be appreciated, thanks so much, Jim

Jim------

I have no idea why someone would do this. Perhaps, the switch became inoperative and, rather than purchase a new switch, it was cheaper to just install a toggle switch. Very crude solution to a problem. I'm certain that the toggle switch was a lot cheaper and easier to come by than the back-up lamp switch.

As far as the underdash origins of the wires, I don't think it will really make much difference. I believe the wires are very likely installed just as they were originally, so you'll need to do nothing with these. If you're interested where the wires go, just obtain a wiring diagram which you'll find in the AIM or service manual.

All you'll need to do is to remove the toggle switch and install the proper GM connector. I believe the connector you need is the same as the flasher connector. It's a "90 degree", 2 terminal connector.

[James W.]

Re: 1978 L-82 4spd back-up switch

Thanks so much Joe...really appreciate the insight. Best Regards, Jim

[Jack H.]

Re: 1978 L-82 4spd back-up switch

"I have no idea why someone would do this"

Perhaps as a manual 'SURPRISE' for those pesky folks who delight in riding on your rear bumper to force you to switch lanes and let them speed/pass!