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Old 12-04-01, 01:17 AM
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No backup lights

Sup everyone
I was wondering if any one had a quick fix to help me out. my 88 gxl's back up lights don't work. any ideas on why and how to fix would be appriecitated. thanks Matt22
Old 12-04-01, 01:23 PM
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Answered on the other board (teamfc3s.org)
Old 12-04-01, 01:26 PM
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I had a clutch put in by a shop when I first got the car. They had cut the wires on top of the tranny that incorporated the switch/connections to the backuplights. Check the harness usually stuffed on top of the transmission, on the driver's side.
Old 12-04-01, 01:57 PM
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When I did my tranny swap, I have a few interior lights, and also my power mirrors and backup lights don't work. I found the UNPLUGGED connections for some of these accesories under the car, but was wondering where they connect to. I'll post some pics later on when I get a chance. Any input will be appreciated. Thanks in advance,
Derek
Old 12-04-01, 03:47 PM
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Here was my reply on the other board, This is obviously only applicable to trannys that haven’t been swapped or have had bad mechanics work on them:

Reasonably common on Manual tranny Mazdas like the FC and the Miata to have the switch contacts glaze over with varnish.
A couple of things you can do:

#1 replace or rebuild/clean the switch.
#2 use a relay on the switch and have the relay activate the back up lights. (best choice IMO)
#3 live with no BU lights.

To wire a relay, locate the wire in the kick panel for the reverse lights, cut it. The side going to the rear/reverse lights goes to 30 on the relay,

The side that goes to the front/switch to 86.

85 of the relay to ground.

87 of the relay to 12V+ ignition (controlled by the ignition switch)

and 87a of the relay not used.

The lower current running through the switch now activates the relay, saving the switch from the high current varnish/contact build up.
As far as cut or disconnected wires; if you tell me what colors you have I will tell you what goes where, but it should be pretty clear once you get under the car.
Old 12-04-01, 07:32 PM
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Well see, the wires I saw were coming out of the tranny, but I could see the ends of them. I didn't see any wire running toward the rear of the car where I would assume the wires should connect to the BU lights. That's what confused me. I didn't do any extensive searching though. Don't have the pics with me, but I know one of the wires was yellow. They were all labeled, but I just didn't know where the other ends of the wire were to connect them to. They were labeled "5th gear switch" "neutral switch" and "backup lights."

Thanks, Derek
Old 12-04-01, 08:06 PM
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i also have no back up lights or power to my mirrors and only 1 speed on wipers

i want some help to a shop said like 300 for wiper relay and about the same for back up lights.
i aint paying that much
Old 12-04-01, 08:45 PM
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also if your car originally came automatic and was converted to manual your back up lights wont work either unless you have something rigged for it. i was told one of the trannies (auto or manual) has the wiring on the inside and the other one is on the outside of the tranny. anyone know the specifics of which way it is?
Old 12-04-01, 10:02 PM
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The manual tranny has the switchs, so if you have a manual I don't see why you couldn't wire them up.

Neutral safety is Blk/Red to the 'puter and Blk to ground.

Reverse is Blk/Yellow to igntion and Red/Grn to the back up lights.

5th gear switch is Blk/LtBlue to the ECU and Blk to ground.

Even if you did a converstion from an auto to a manual, why wouldn't you just run a couple of wires off of the reverse switch?
Old 12-04-01, 10:13 PM
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thanks for the info ice mark. would i need to buy any parts or anything? is there a site with pics? im completely in the dark about this because the guy said that the setup is different. guess he was just too lazy to do it.
Old 12-05-01, 12:47 PM
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I couldn't think of anything other than maybe the relay (if you wanted/needed to go that route- which should be about $5 at radio shack or any car audio store) and maybe a couple of crimp or other simple connectors.

Email me if you get stuck
Old 12-06-01, 11:36 AM
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I know for sure that you can get it to work. There is a guy that has done this same conversion, and he has a website up about it. They had the same problems with his, but got it working, and even got his cruise control working. He said to email him with any questions. I can probably find the site address at home if we don't figure it out. I already took some pics. I'll try to post them tomorrow if I get a chance. I'm going to crawl under and try some things out, so I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks, Derek
Old 04-02-04, 08:49 PM
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Icemark, do you have a pic of what I would be doing when I use a relay? Also do I need to do anything to the sensor, like remove in clean? Or just wire in the relay?

Also when you talk about varnich on the contacts is that inside the tranny or on the outside?
Old 04-03-04, 11:10 AM
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Originally posted by eyecandy
Icemark, do you have a pic of what I would be doing when I use a relay? Also do I need to do anything to the sensor, like remove in clean? Or just wire in the relay?

Also when you talk about varnich on the contacts is that inside the tranny or on the outside?
The extra relay is best wired in the drivers kick panel, as the harness runs there.

and the problem build up occurs on the inside of the switch, in the tranny

Last edited by Icemark; 04-03-04 at 11:13 AM.
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