Backup light swich q's

[kroberts]

One of the MANY things I've overlooked is the wiring for the backup light switch. The E36 tranny switch has a dedicated connector while the E30 switch had two plain blade-type connectors (at least mine did). I have the E30 lead but it obviously does not plug into the ZF switch. Will a E30 switch work in the ZF or do I need the connector from the E36 body harness?

Thanks,

kr

[kroberts]

Disregard, I got it. Duh.

kr

[matt]

For the benefit of the next guy to SEARCH and come to this thread,

All you have to do is replace the reverse light switch in the transmission (e36 getrag or e36 ZF) with the reverse light switch from any manual e30. It fits the trans and wires in using the stock harness and the stock connector.

It's also possible to use the e36 reverse light switch and wires that are integrated with the motor harness. I'll let Mike B. explain how that's done....

[So Live]

e30 switch is like $11 from the stealer too!

[Mike B.]

To incorporate the E36 Transmission reverse light switch w/ the E36 wiring harness do the following:

Run a wire from E36 pin 10 Reverse Lights (blue/yellow wire) to the shifter housing and connect it to the blue/white wire. It's that simple.

[kroberts]

I can still use the E30 body wires though, right? There is no compatibility issue?

kr

[Mike B.]

There is a blue/white wire in the shifter housing that runs to the rear backup lights. I can send you the ETM that shows the wiring diagram if you are interested. Run a run an 18 to 20 ga. wire from the E36 x20 connector pin 10 (blue/yellow) to this blue/white wire and splice it together. Start the car, put the tranny in reverse - BINGO - back up lights.

Now solder the connection, put some shrink wrap around it and go drive the car.

As long as you are using the E36 switch in the transmission, there are no issues with compatability.

[Mr.SWISS]

There is a blue/white wire in the shifter housing that runs to the rear backup lights. I can send you the ETM that shows the wiring diagram if you are interested. Run a run an 18 to 20 ga. wire from the E36 x20 connector pin 10 (blue/yellow) to this blue/white wire and splice it together. Start the car, put the tranny in reverse - BINGO - back up lights.

Now solder the connection, put some shrink wrap around it and go drive the car.

As long as you are using the E36 switch in the transmission, there are no issues with compatability.

I was looking at my spare harness and the reverse light has the same two wires as the e30 does inside, green and blue/wht. I have a 92 NV. So I can't run those right to it?

[matt]

I was looking at my spare harness and the reverse light has the same two wires as the e30 does inside, green and blue/wht. I have a 92 NV. So I can't run those right to it?

Yes you can. But it would probably be easier to plug it in through the shifter hole instead of running wires from the C101 to the shifter.

The early e36 reverse light switch (manual only) is the same as the e30 one.

[Mr.SWISS]

Yes you can. But it would probably be easier to plug it in through the shifter hole instead of running wires from the C101 to the shifter.

The early e36 reverse light switch (manual only) is the same as the e30 one.

That's what I planned on doing when I replaced the section for the O2 sensor that has those wires in it.