My backup lights in my 88 SE haven't worked for a long time (not sure if they ever have since I got it). Working on several electrical annoyances while I have it in the garage, and I have a couple of questions about the operation of the switch itself.

I have ordered a new switch (don't have it yet), but I think I have additional issues. My current switch works (I think), but has frayed wires. Looking at the elec diagram in the FSM, I can see that the switch completes the ground to light up the bulbs (as most elec items are wired in the FC).

The switch has 4 leads coming out of it (two red and two green):

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...=backup+switch

question 1: which lead completes the backup light circuit?
Question 2: what are the other two leads for?

I've tried operating the switch by hand with it connected (and the frayed wires taped up) without success. In testing, I can see that one of the green wires on the harness becomes hot with the ignition on, so I assume that "may be" the hot coming into the switch for the bulbs. but.. I can't really decipher which of the leads goes back to the bulbs.

 

The red wires at the reverse light switch. On the car side, there is a black/yellow and a red. Those wires connect to the red switch wires in any order.

I don't know what the other (green?) wires are and I don't have my Haynes handy. I think probably the 5th gear switch.

 

It's as stated above, the other switch is the over the top switch or fifth gear switch who's only function is to energize the Split Air Solenoid on the ACV to add additional air to the split air pipe only when in fifth gear. Not required to pass emissions unless your emissions tech puts the car in fifth gear at the 15/25mph test.

That's for a series four car anyway. Series five similar I think. Series four is more staight fwd than series five on that item.

 

So it's one switch with 4 leads coming out of it. Are you saying that the switch is actually two in one?

And Aaron, I couldn't tell what color the wires are that the red leads connect to, but they are identical in type (interchangable). so those must be the backup light circuit? They were pretty dirty and it was a bit dark up in there

 

Check my thread from a few months ago. I was missing reverse light wiring and had to remake part of the harness to make them function again. There is a FSM pic I posted too that should help.

https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-generation-specific-1986-1992-17/reverse-light-issue-connectors-harness-gone-865225/

 

Thanks BeefHole,

I was looking at the FSM diagram earlier and couldn't tell if the backup switch and over the top switch are all one part, but I suspect so.

Any way, I just crawled under and jumped the two "bullet" style connectors. Turned on the key and they lit up. So when my new switch arrives this week, I should be all set (unless there's a prob inside the tranny).

And Aaron, I wiped off the harness wires and they were B/Y and R/G, as you stated

It will be nice to backup in the dark without having to say my usual prayer.

BeefHole, where about on Long Island are you? I used to be out there all the time. Worked for a software company in Islip (CA) and frequented the L.I.E. many times. Work for a west coast company now so I don't get out there any more.

RR

 

I was going to say jump the bullet connectors, but I didn't recall 100% if they were the back up lights, so I didn't want to make a goof!

I am in deer park, exit 51 LIE.

 

Transmissions from JSPEC import RX have but one set of contacts for that particular switch. The JSPEC cars do not have the Split Air solenoid on the ACV so there's no need for the *over the top set of contacts*.

The USA cars have two sets of contacts in that switch. One for over the top and one for reverse.