reverse lights not coming on - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

94cylcamry · 11-02-2008, 10:34 PM

Apparently this has been hapenning for awhile...and only really starts acting up when it's colder out. I just got the car last May, so I'm really only starting to see this issue now. It's a 94 Camry LE 4cyl Auto.

So the auto shifter causes the panel gear guage to light up...I shift into N, it displays N on that panel...umm...inbetween the speedometer and the rpm guage. Switch into D, the panel D doesn't go on, apparently never has. I switch to R, sometimes R on the panel lights up, sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes when it doesn't, I can jiggle the shifter handle a bit and it will come on, but sometimes it won't at all.

Is there something in the shifter assembly I can tighten up to make this work a little more consistenly? Besides the fact that the reverse lights have to work for inspection, I have to back up a dark driveway every night, so the reverse lights aid that a bit.

Thanks for any thoughts, sorry if my description wasn't very clear!

Zviator · 11-02-2008, 10:57 PM

Bulb burned, just like the D

94cylcamry · 11-03-2008, 05:48 AM

But it lights up sometimes. The issue isn't really the instrument panel, I just know that if the R on the panel doesn't light up, than the reverse lights don't go on. The fact that I can jiggle the shifter sometimes and make it come on tells me there's something with the shifter...but I don't know if there is something I can tighten or..?

I don't know?

Thanks

***new echo owner*** · 11-03-2008, 07:11 AM

Check the Park/Neutral switch at the front of the transmission, just follow the shift cable.

N.E.O.

94cylcamry · 11-03-2008, 03:26 PM

Thanks I'll err...try to locate that.

aljrdiego · 06-01-2010, 02:56 PM

I am new to this site. I have the same issue as yourself on the reverse light issues. Sometimes it comes on and sometimes it doesn't (on the dash board). If the reverse light is on the reverse lights works if it doesn't than the reverse light don't either. I can wiggle it sometimes into reverse and it will work but sometimes i can't.

Did the Park/Neutral switch work? Did you clean it?
thanks
al

BamZipPow · 06-01-2010, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aljrdiego

I am new to this site. I have the same issue as yourself on the reverse light issues. Sometimes it comes on and sometimes it doesn't (on the dash board). If the reverse light is on the reverse lights works if it doesn't than the reverse light don't either. I can wiggle it sometimes into reverse and it will work but sometimes i can't.

Did the Park/Neutral switch work? Did you clean it?
thanks
al

Park/neutral switch is a epoxy sealed unit. Yer gonna have to git a new one.

wally748 · 06-02-2010, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BamZipPow

Park/neutral switch is a epoxy sealed unit. Yer gonna have to git a new one.

Not on my 93 I4 I had the same problem. Found a DIY somewhere maybe on this site. Took the switch out, cleaned it, put new grease in and it's been working fine for 3 years. The old grease gets hard and prevents contact.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 94cylcamry

Apparently this has been hapenning for awhile...and only really starts acting up when it's colder out. I just got the car last May, so I'm really only starting to see this issue now. It's a 94 Camry LE 4cyl Auto.

So the auto shifter causes the panel gear guage to light up...I shift into N, it displays N on that panel...umm...inbetween the speedometer and the rpm guage. Switch into D, the panel D doesn't go on, apparently never has. I switch to R, sometimes R on the panel lights up, sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes when it doesn't, I can jiggle the shifter handle a bit and it will come on, but sometimes it won't at all.

Is there something in the shifter assembly I can tighten up to make this work a little more consistenly? Besides the fact that the reverse lights have to work for inspection, I have to back up a dark driveway every night, so the reverse lights aid that a bit.

Thanks for any thoughts, sorry if my description wasn't very clear!

Clean your P/N switch . New ones are very expensive, part alone is over 200 from dealer. I had the same problem w/ my 93 I4 LE. Dont remember the steps, but take out your battery, just below there is your switch, take it out, clean, put new grease in and it should work fine.

aljrdiego · 06-02-2010, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wally748

Not on my 93 I4 I had the same problem. Found a DIY somewhere maybe on this site. Took the switch out, cleaned it, put new grease in and it's been working fine for 3 years. The old grease gets hard and prevents contact.

Clean your P/N switch . New ones are very expensive, part alone is over 200 from dealer. I had the same problem w/ my 93 I4 LE. Dont remember the steps, but take out your battery, just below there is your switch, take it out, clean, put new grease in and it should work fine.

thanks for the info. Im assuming that you have to take it apart to clean it?
thanks
al

wally748 · 06-03-2010, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aljrdiego

thanks for the info. Im assuming that you have to take it apart to clean it?
thanks
al

yes you do have to take it apart it is not a hard job. just make sure your detent and shift lever are lined up when you put it back on. also i sent messages to 94cylcamry check them out

wally748 · 06-03-2010, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 94cylcamry

Apparently this has been hapenning for awhile...and only really starts acting up when it's colder out. I just got the car last May, so I'm really only starting to see this issue now. It's a 94 Camry LE 4cyl Auto.

So the auto shifter causes the panel gear guage to light up...I shift into N, it displays N on that panel...umm...inbetween the speedometer and the rpm guage. Switch into D, the panel D doesn't go on, apparently never has. I switch to R, sometimes R on the panel lights up, sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes when it doesn't, I can jiggle the shifter handle a bit and it will come on, but sometimes it won't at all.

Is there something in the shifter assembly I can tighten up to make this work a little more consistenly? Besides the fact that the reverse lights have to work for inspection, I have to back up a dark driveway every night, so the reverse lights aid that a bit.

Thanks for any thoughts, sorry if my description wasn't very clear!

wally748 · 06-03-2010, 06:09 AM

94,take out your battery just below is your trans. right in front is your detent for gear selection.i dont remember all the steps but disconnect that and take off your switch take it apart it has old grease that has gotten hard and prevents contact from your sweep hand to contacts.clean it put new grease in put every thing back the same way it was. if anyone does not agree with this please make any corrections im only trying to save this guy a lot of money. btw unless your bulb is burned out when your r lite is not on your reverse lites are not either. at least thats the way mmine was.

wally748 · 06-03-2010, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 94cylcamry

Apparently this has been hapenning for awhile...and only really starts acting up when it's colder out. I just got the car last May, so I'm really only starting to see this issue now. It's a 94 Camry LE 4cyl Auto.

So the auto shifter causes the panel gear guage to light up...I shift into N, it displays N on that panel...umm...inbetween the speedometer and the rpm guage. Switch into D, the panel D doesn't go on, apparently never has. I switch to R, sometimes R on the panel lights up, sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes when it doesn't, I can jiggle the shifter handle a bit and it will come on, but sometimes it won't at all.

Is there something in the shifter assembly I can tighten up to make this work a little more consistenly? Besides the fact that the reverse lights have to work for inspection, I have to back up a dark driveway every night, so the reverse lights aid that a bit.

Thanks for any thoughts, sorry if my description wasn't very clear!

94, if you have a haynes manual on 7b-3 thereis instructions for your p/n switch.you dont have to raise the car just remove the battery and work from up top.

Judge2 · 06-03-2010, 12:51 PM

In another thread recently, I described how I fixed this problem from inside the car. And then realized that there is an even easier way by removing just the most rear center piece, and adjusting something that effects the linkage to the switch.

Reverse Light switch problem!

Rattlin_Steele · 06-03-2010, 03:32 PM

So it looks like there could be two different solutions to this problem...

With regard to the PNP switch, I don't have firsthand experience with it, but looking at the manual here:

http://http://www.camrystuff.com/ind...e=Gen3_Manuals

in the chapter "A140E Automatic Transaxle (4.47MB)"

page AX1-17 shows what's involved in removing that switch. However, if it was me, I would probably test the switch where it sits before going to the trouble of removing it. Using diagram #2 on page AX1-94, it looks like you should be able to

1) remove connector to expose switch terminals
2) put the transmission lever in reverse (have car immobilized first!)
3) test for continuity across terminals 2 and 8 using a multi-meter or other continuity tester.

You should have continuity if the transsmission is in reverse and an open circuit if not in reverse.

If the switch isn't working properly, then fresh lubrication might rejuvinate it as wally748 said. Electrical switches are often built with a lubricant in them that dries out over the years. In the old days, white lithium spray grease, was great for "fixing" stereo slide tuners, volume controls, etc, when they would begin to crackle or have dead spots. Most of the time you didn't even have to disassemble the component. You could find an opening, put the little red straw tube on the spray can, and inject the body with new grease and it would be good as new.