reverse lights not working

[Lee250]

On my 86 the reverse lights don't come on when the car is put in reverse. Its not the bulbs. I was thinking it might be the switch on the trans is bad. Is the reverse light switch part of the trans range sensor or is it seperate. I can see what I guess would be the trans sensor and behind that is a switch or something with one wire coming out of it and to the right of that is one with two wires. The lights work once in while and sometimes if you shift it in and out of reverse a bunch it will work.

[fourdrinie]

Does the gear indicator lights go on when you're in each gear? ie P-R-N-D-D2-L??

If these lights don't go on either, it's the neutral safety switch located on the auto transmission...this switch also controls the reverse lights.

See the writeup a few days about the neutral safety switch....

[Lee250]

Those gear indicator lights work except for reverse and 2. I just put new bulbs in them so its not the bulbss.

[toyomoho]

Check the wiring in the truck where it jumps from the cars frame to the trunk lid. Often the wires in this area become broken or frayed.

[Kingdom934]

You mention how the lights work once in a while when you switch in and out of reverse a lot. I would point to the netural safety switch as in my Cressida, it is to the point that it doesn't work at all unless I push up the shifter lever (to the dash) when in reverse. Only works when the car has been driven for awhile (hot).

[Lee250]

Now that you mention it, it does seem to work more often when the car was driven and warmed up. I read another post yesterday about cleaning the netural saftey switch. can this be done on my car?

[toyomoho]

A separate switch screwed into the trans housing usually controls the backup lights. The switch is turned on when reverse is engaged, use a meter to test the switch.

[fourdrinie]

I am not absolutely sure about Gen 1 Camrys..but yes it can be done on your 86, Lee 250...Just follow the directions on the previous post.

[Lee250]

I took the netural safety switch off of my parts car and took it apart and boy was it loaded with grease and oil. I'm cleaning it right now and I'm going to switch it out with the one on my car. Toyomoho's coment about a seperate switch for reverse got me to wondering. Right behind the netural saftey switch and right next to the kickdown cable is a sensor or something with one wire coming out of it. I took it off of my parts car and it appears to be a hydraulicly controlled sensor for something. anyone know what it is for?

[Lee250]

Thanks guys I switched the netural safety switchs and everything works now including all the indicator lights inside. Thaks alot!!!

[fourdrinie]

Life is good with alittle bit of knowledge....pass it along!

Mechanics have nothing on the power of the internet.

[Kingdom934]

Looks like I need to do this to my Cressida, PITA though.

Glad we could help XD