Reverse Light Wiring on Manual Swap

[itsonlygeorge]

I haven't been able to get the reverse lights working and I think the reverse lights have not been wired in properly. I checked the switch with a multi-meter and it appears to function properly, and the reverse lights do light up if you short the wires.

I took a few pictures of how it is currently wired and I would like some advice on how to proceed. I did buy a replacement switch just in case.

Currently, the blue/white wire and green/yellow from the switch are connected to the blue/white and green/yellow wire going to the car. The rest of the wires (green/black, green/yellow, etc) are not connected to anything.

The cruise control does work properly, just not the reverse lights.

How can I fix this issue? I've looked at the guide and I don't think the right wires are connected together.

[Todd Black 88]

Pull the switch from the tranny. Plug it all in electrically and see if it works. If it does, then your problem is internal to the tranny.

I had that issue, and modified the switch to reach in further so it would work.

[ForcedFirebird]

You shouldn't have had to cut/solder anything for the swap. All e30's bodies are wired for manual and there's an added auto neutral lockout circuit added.

The black/yellow thick wire in the steering column needs to be unplugged from the auto loop and plugged directly in the open slot on the back of the ignition switch, that square white connector that was on the auto shifter gets eliminated. Then you unplug the two wire revers switch connector (small 2 wire rectangle connector) from the auto harness and plug that directly into the reverse switch.

I am surprised your cruise works with it wired any other way.

Here is a good explanation of the auto "loop" that was added...

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=120917

[itsonlygeorge]

I tested wiring in the new reverse switch to the existing wires, and the lights do work. I will replace the switch later today and see what it does.

The neutral lockout probably doesn't work. You don't need to push in the clutch or brake to start the car.

[itsonlygeorge]

The switched turned out to be ok. It was the wiring in between the transmission and the car. New wire fixed. Seems that the wiring may not be what it should otherwise, but the reverse lights work and so does the cruise so that's a project for another day.

[itskingsteelo]

Glad I found this thread, my reverse lights aren't working either, they went out a while back. I replaced the switch but they still don't work :(