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1990 Suburban reverse light problem

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GOLIATH1990

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Not sure if this is the right place for this or not but i cant post it in the suburban section so here we go.
I have a 1990 Suburban. When the gear selector is in reverse the reverse lights do not work but as I slowly move the selector on the column up toward Park, the reverse lights come on but when it actually shifts into Park they go out again. Has anyone had this problem or know how to fix it? Hopefully something just needs to be adjusted but I tried to adjust the linkage t just didnt seem to help. Any thoughts?
 
The linkage is out of adjustment most likely, or the switch itself is bad. The switch is mounted at the bottom of the column, and can wear to a point that it won't get good contact and will require you to play with the shifter to get them to work. Most common is for the linkage to be out of adjustment a bit, which will put the contact point off.

Hijack - Magna, Utah?
 
Yes, Magna Utah. Not too far from you.

I tried adjusting the linkage a bit and it didnt seem to help any. It just seems weird to me that the lights only work when it is between park and reverse. But the lights do work so I am sure the switch is ok I just think something needs to be adjusted. I am pretty sure they worked fine before i replaced the steering column
 
You say you replaced the column, is it just a junkyard column that came out of another Burb? If so, that could throw the linkage way off when it is connected into your Burb. To the best of my knowledge, there is no way to adjust the switch itself, the adjustment is all handled by the linkage. Off hand I don't remember which way to adjust the linkage, but if I am right in it being the linkage, then I would bet that if you put the shifter in N and try to start it, it will not allow it unless you lift the shifter up a bit towards R. If this is the case, it is most definitely the linkage being out of adjustment as it works with the column.
 
It was just an old column. I saw something in my haynes manual about adjusting the linkage, I will have to look at it again.
 
That would be my guess, I would tell you more but I don't have my Blazer here to look at. Really wishing I would have brought it in, since it is the first night in weeks that it isn't raining.:grin:
 
In fact, I got an old one sitting here in my burb you can have. I'm scrapping it for parts right now doing my blazer rebuild. I'll be around Saturday afternoon.
 
Naw, I just saw this thread and felt compelled to read it. I have not been in here (the garage) in many moons, I stay in the lounge.
 
man one of these days I am just going to Utah to meet all you yahoos

oh and yeah adjust the linkage :D
 
I'm hiking Grandier Peak again on saturday AM, will be working on the truck in the afternoon, any body know where to get a flywheel resurfaced on a saturday?
 
lectric80 said:
You know this guy Matt? I am going to feel really crappy if you know him and I haven't met you yet!
Click to expand...
Ha ha I dont think I know anyone on here. it would be cool to get out and hit a couple trails and meet some of you guys though. Seems like a decent group of people here.
 
After adjusting the linkage over and over and over again with the same results i adjusted the switch on the column and it works fine now. Thanks guys
 
Bumping this ... my 91 Blazer is doing the same thing. Reverse lights come on momentarily as I go from Park to Reverse but then when I am in Reverse the lights are off. How do I adjust the switch? Is it obvious when I see it, or do I have to remove it from the column or something?

It's freezing outside so I don't want to have to spend an hour under the dash if at all possible! :D
 
If the neutral safety/back up light switch is like the ones on my 80's trucks,they have slotted bolt holes on the mount,you just loosen the two bolts and slide the switch whichever direction it needs to go in to adjust it..
 
anyone can snap a pic of what exactly I need to adjust or where it is on the column would be greatly appreciated.
 
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