I did some research and couldn't find much help anywhere.
for the last 5 months or so I thought my reverse lights just didnt work, but the other night leaving for work in the reflection of the windows I noticed them flash on and off. I took apart the light housing on the tailgate and all of the wires were good and connected well.
also when I wiggle the shifter around in reverse the lights will come on and off.
What could be the problem?
anything will help thanks in advance!!

 

by bad I dont know why the font is soooo small

 

Might check the switch in the transmission to see if it is acting up.

 

how do I check that? Is it the one on the side of the tranny, or do I have to take my shifter boot out and check there?

 

Usually on the side of the tranny, on my '85 it is next to the oil fill plug, basically the only thing with wires on the tranny. Simple on/off switch, couple of tests. One is to jump the two wires in the plug and see if the lights come on good or not. If not, bad wiring. If good, then it may be the switch. Could be gear oil has gotten into the switch making it work intermittently or it may not be fully screwed in or the tip may have worn and the shift rail is not pushing it in far enough.

 

Could a worn out shifter seat and bushing (as in a sloppy shifter) cause the back up lights not to work ?.

 

Yeah I have a 94 with 5spd and its the little switch on the side of the tranny (passenger side I believe). Pull off the electrical plug, and stick a wire or paperclip in there to connect the two cables. If you ingition is on you should see the reverse lights light up. I which case the switch it buggered. Buy a new one and Bobs your uncle.

Strangely though I did all this about 9 months ago and my reverse lights have stopped working again. I think the part was 80 bucks or something from Napa so I got a cheapy from Rock Auto and its looks like its defective already. 8(

Those light sure do help reversing in the dark!!

 

Well I put a paper clip in the plug deal and the lights came on, so does that mean I have to buy a new switch? or can I clean out the one on there?

 

its a toyota thing... mine does the same thing...


the baby runner lights work until you start to accelerate. standing still they work.

 

Might pull the switch out and see if you can access the insides or not. Never really looked at mine, so no idea if it can be cleaned.

 

man there are like 10 trucks being parted out in the classified here. Just buy one there for $10 at the most.

For $80, I think I would wire in a toggle switch instead!

 

Yeah I pulled mine out and it didnt look like it could be pulled apart very easily and cleaned. Go for a re-used Toyota one from a parted out truck for sure. I didnt think of that back when mine went, I will next time!!! 8)

 

HEY while we're talking about toyota problems (by the way i have the EXACT SAME THING wrong with my reverse lights hense why im looking at this thread) does anyone else have a solution to fixing my e brake light that never goes off now? brake fluid is fine. its def in the e brake handle, it doesnt go all the way in. SOMEONE PLZ PM ME! i need your help!! sorry for semi hyjacking this thread! i hate my reverse lights too

 

I think Ill look around for a runner or truck that is being parted out and get a used one for cheap. thanks for all the help guys!!

 

As for your e brake problem it could be that your brake itself is working well but the switch(those damn toyota switches!) to the light in your dash could be all tweaked out

 

I had the same problem with my E-brake light. There's a tab that is supposed to push in a switch when you push in the brake handle, but mine seemed to be misaligned. All i did was cut some plastic (I think it was tupperware or something sort of thick so it won't bend) and secure it to the tab with a zip tie to make it wider. It's worked like a charm ever since. Now my cruise control works too!

 

WAIT! HAHAHAH is that why my cruise stopped working too??? hahahahah man o man. i was so damn pissed when both these things just crapped out at the same time dude. inferno ur the man, no really ur the man! thanks alot. really appreciated.

 

1985 Toyota Truck 4WD Automatic transmission (A340H)... saved $300 on a new switch;
I had no backup lights... followed the instructions in the video below and it worked like a charm... appears to have fixed my intermittant cranking problem as well