My 87 TII keeps blowing the meter fuse everytime I put it in 5th gear. Everytime I replace it I can drive fine if I stay out of 5th, but as soon as I do it pops right on cue. I did a search and concluded that it's probably the 5th gear/reverse switch on the left side of the tranny that's shorting out.

Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone had any experience fixing this problem?. I'll have access to a lift really soon so i'm kinda hopin it's just a stripped or chafed wire in the underbody. If evertyhing checks out ok in the wiring, and I still keep blowing the fuse, how hard is it to find and replace that switch? Any chance I can unplug it and just call it a day?

 

The switch triggers your cruise control and reverse lights. If you're not in fifth, you cant use cruise control. If the switch is disconnected, the CC computer won't know you're in fifth. If you don't have CC, you're set there, but you still won't have reverse lights. Best bet would be to replace the switch if the wiring looks okay.

 

ohhh I see...damn I don't wanna lose my cruise control. do you know a reputable place to purchase a replacement? I suppose I could go to checker or batozone but they tend to give you whatever they feel like.

 

*******The switch triggers your cruise control and reverse lights. If you're not in fifth, you cant use cruise control. If the switch is disconnected, the CC computer won't know you're in fifth***********

Not to beat up on you, but cruise control does NOT work like that at all. As an example, cruisec control can be engaged in second gear at twenty mph.

In other words, cruise control has zippity do dah with fifth gear being engaged or not engaged.

 

******Any chance I can unplug it and just call it a day?***********88

You could. Or replace the switch if there's no chaffed wiring. It unscrews.

 

So I called mazda and they no longer had the backup switch for the TII.
They had a few non-turbo units in stock for 33.99 but they said it was a different part number. Any chance I can use the N/A switch on the TII? By the way thanks for all your help it has been very very informative

 

you can unplug it untill you replace it, but your reverse lights will not come on. i'm not sure if they're interchangable or not. i bought mine at schucks (same as checker) and it was the right one. you can order it on their online store if you dont trust the clerks. its like $20 and really easy to replace.