Backup Switch Replacement Question

[Dermochelys]

Today while getting my oil changed the service guy noted that both of my backup / reverse lights were not working. I thought it odd that both were out, but I figured I'd check the obvious things first. I checked the correct fuse and replaced the bulbs but the lights are still not working.

After doing some online research I've found that the likely culprit is the backup switch or a cut wire in the trunk. I've checked all the wires near the left side hinge in the trunk, and they all look to be ok, so I'm thinking it's the switch. I've found lots of articles about how to replace the switch (unplug, unscrew old, screw in new, plug back in), but I can't for the life of me find a photo showing where this switch is on my engine. Any help in step by step form with a photo of where to look would be great. I found one component that i thought might be the switch, but it looks fairly hard to get to and I don't want to tear apart my engine and mess up something else. I've never done any fix like this before (and I don't have any special tools), but I really don't want to have to pay a mechanic $100 for a 5 minute fix if I can do it on my own. Here's the stats on my car if that helps....

2002 Solara
6 cyl
Manual Trans.

Thanks in advance for any help!

[Dermochelys]

Ok, after a visit to the local auto parts store I had the switch pointed out to me (it was where I thought it was). If you look down into the engine it's on the driver's side on top of the transmission (right next to the engine). It's the only two wire switch in the area that I could see.

For those of you needing directions (like I did), here's the steps. In all it took about 5 minutes.

1) Disconnect the car battery

2) Disconnect the connector from the switch. Simply squeeze the tab on the connector and it'll come right out.

3) Unscrew the bad switch. I had to use a 27mm socket with a 10" extension (it's all I had) to get it started, then just used my hand.

4) Place new switch into the hole and hand tighten. Then finish off with the socket set again.

5) Reconnect the switch to the wiring, it should click right back in.

6) Reconnect the battery.

That's it...to test if it worked put the car ignition into the "on" position and shift into reverse, the backup lights should turn on (assuming the backup switch was the problem in the first place).

Hope this is helpful to those like me who didn't know how to do this sort of thing when I started.

Thanks.

[ThurzNite]

Nice work. Mine was a bit weirder than that. Reverse light would work if I jiggled the shifter. After I switched to synthetic tranny oil, reverse light comes on reliably. Have no idea why. Glad u got yours fixed, how much was the part?
Dr J

[Dermochelys]

The part was only $25