Reverse light problem

[ajstahl]

I have a 1991 camry with the 3S-FE engine and manual transmission. My reverse lights stopped working about a month ago. The fuse and wires are good. I know this because I can get the reverse lights to come on if I mash the shifter down really hard into the reverse position. Once I take off the pressure the lights go off (while shifter still in reverse position). This is happening with a brand new reverse switch that I installed on the transmission. Could it be the part inside the transmission that depresses the switch? Or is there a way to adjust the switch so it sticks down farther?

[Carlman(90 CS)]

if it is not ur fuse, wires or bulb then it has to be ur switch.

sounds like ur switch it not getting pushed in far enough to keep the circuit live. You may, as a quick fix, put a 'block' on the switch head the extend it. May be faulty switch also.

[ajstahl]

I was able to fix it by removing the metal gasket (like a washer) that sat between the reverse switch and transmission. This let the switch stick down another 1/16 of an inch. Now the lights turn on the exact instant I start moving the shifter into reverse.

My only question is: will the absence of that gasket create problems? The contact points on both the switch and transmission were very flat and smooth; I don't see how anything could get through.

[toyomoho]

If it leaks use some liquid gasket sealer or form in place gasket maker.

One issue may be if the shifter cable is adjusted correctly. The trans reverse gear has a limit pin that prevents the gear from moving too far; perhaps the cable is not allowing the gear to move all the way to the limit pin.