weird reverse light problem

[jnorion]

My car is retarded. When I drop the shifter into reverse the reverse lights turn on fine, as long as I keep the clutch pushed in. As soon as I start to let the clutch out the lights turn off. Start to back up and push the clutch in to coast and the lights are back on.

What should I be looking for?

[Legacy777]

Hmmm....that's weird....wonder if you have ground issue somewhere.

[subytech]

Try and hold the shifter down in the reverse position while backing up, do the lights stay on?

[jnorion]

Try and hold the shifter down in the reverse position while backing up, do the lights stay on?

OK, did that, apparently the problem IS the switch. I have no idea why the clutch would be affecting it as I described before, maybe it's just sensitive enough to acceleration that it turns on and off. Anyway, holding the shifter down hard into the reverse position fixes the problem, so I'm assuming I just need a new switch.

Thanks for the help!

[subytech]

Yea I would try a new switch, whats happening is with the clutch dissengauged (out) there is tension in the gear train and on the shift forks through the clutch from the engine which takes up all the backlash in the gears. Apperently in your case when you push the clutch in, taking away this tension, it also takes away the tension from the shift fork that activates the swith. This must be just enough to deactivate your switch whitch i'm guessing is worn out.

Glad I could help