Newbie Here-Help ASAP

[ponner1us]

Hi All,
I have an 89 325ix that they refuse to pass for inspection because my reverse lights aren't working. The guy I took it to wants $195 for a "Back Up Lights Switch," the dealer wants $95 for the part, he wants $100 for two hours labor(which will probably take 5 minutes). Anyway, I'm finding the part for $8 online, but the dealer and AutoZone are asking if it's manual or automatic, and there's no choice online for this part. Does anyone have any experience with this? And if so, is it possible I could just clean the connections?
TIA,
Jon

[NeilMFD]

first. Are you sure its the switch that went bad? If so, its a really easy job to replace. If you just wanted to ghetto rig it you could hook up a button or something to turn the reverse lights on...
try checking the connections on the switch first...sometimes they like to fall off or the wires crack and lose the connection.
Also try checking the connector under the shift boot, that is for the reverse lights.

good luck!
~Neil

[erik325i]

The wires that go the the reverse lights, pass through under your shift boot. Check to make sure that they are still connected/intact. More often than not, the problem is not the switch, buut the wires...
The wires are very soft and like to break.

And don't pay the dealer to replace it. Both the switch, and the wires are very easy to replace.

-Erik

[CleanAzzE30z]

fuckin stealer.

Mariano