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'69 4-speed reverse switch linkage help?

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davidfloyd

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
My '69 (4 speed Muncie M20) was bought restored but the reverse lights were never working. The bulbs in the back were removed because they were otherwise always on EXCEPT when in reverse. I took a look at the column switch and it is indeed being switched by the steering column notch except "backwards" where all the way to the left is the non-reverse position (switch engaged) and then when you go in reverse, the switch assembly notch moves to the right (switch disengaged).

Does anyone know what I have to do to correct this, whether its removing and realigning something in the steering column inside the car, or doing something within the engine bay?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts/help!
 
#2 ·
davidfloyd said:
My '69 (4 speed Muncie M20) was bought restored but the reverse lights were never working. The bulbs in the back were removed because they were otherwise always on EXCEPT when in reverse. I took a look at the column switch and it is indeed being switched by the steering column notch except "backwards" where all the way to the left is the non-reverse position (switch engaged) and then when you go in reverse, the switch assembly notch moves to the right (switch disengaged).

Does anyone know what I have to do to correct this, whether its removing and realigning something in the steering column inside the car, or doing something within the engine bay?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts/help!
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Is your car a V8?

Does the column turn as you put the Trans in reverse?

Does your car have headers?

This will tell us if the reverse rod is connected. This is quite often removed to allow for headers?

I'm trying to decipher your description, you said it moves backwards…..

This would tell me the rods are connected to the bell crank incorrectly
 
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#3 ·
Hello David,

You are a long way from the Plexi forum and it sure is nice to see you here.

There is a stroke adjustment on the backdrive vertical rod at the frame pivot. I like to shift the transmission into reverse and make my adjustment at the pivot until the backup lights turn on.

Does your steering column lock when you are in reverse with the key removed?
 
Discussion starter · #4 ·
JodysTransmissions said:
Hello David,

You are a long way from the Plexi forum and it sure is nice to see you here.

There is a stroke adjustment on the backdrive vertical rod at the frame pivot. I like to shift the transmission into reverse and make my adjustment at the pivot until the backup lights turn on.

Does your steering column lock when you are in reverse with the key removed?
Click to expand...
Hi Jody - Nice to see you here as well! It's been a long time, but I finally got myself the dream '69 (well, a Z28 clone that needs some work, but an affordable dream). It's been fun working on it and having a new project.

The car is a V8 with an exhaust manifold setup. The steering column does rotate when I go into reverse and the notch at the base of the steering column (below where the switch male connector fits in) does turn. There's linkage on the outside that moves as I go from reverse to neutral.

When I try to mount the switch with the male connector fitted into the steering column notch, I did it while it was in reverse. The problem is that it doesn't seem to line up properly to the tab connector. And even if it did, when I would go out of reverse, the column rotates "the wrong direction", i.e., not giving enough room to allow the switch to move - it wants to stay blocked on its side.

It's tough to describe but hopefully this helps.

The steering wheel/column does lock, but not while in reverse. It will only lock in neutral with the key in or out. The key cannot be removed when in reverse position so in that respect the "key is locked", but the steering wheel remains free.

Perhaps I just need to make that adjustment. If so, could you explain it a bit more? Thanks again.

David
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
wagonman said:
Is your car a V8?

Does the column turn as you put the Trans in reverse?

Does your car have headers?

This will tell us if the reverse rod is connected. This is quite often removed to allow for headers?

I'm trying to decipher your description, you said it moves backwards…..

This would tell me the rods are connected to the bell crank incorrectly
Click to expand...
Hi John,
The column does turn when I put the trans in reverse.
The car has regular exhaust manifolds.

It just seems like the direction that the column gear (that holds the male end of the reverse switch) is moving in the wrong direction. It should go from right to left to make the contact point on the switch when going into reverse, but instead, the notch area with the switch goes from left to right, which essentially "disconnects" the notch connector as it slides away from the contact point. I'm stumped, but have to think it's something installed incorrectly or could be adjusted?

Unfortunately I don't know any history of the car, but appreciate your thoughts on this one.

Best,
David
 
#6 ·
Without seeing your set-up, it is hard to help but, here is what I would do:

Install your two back-up light bulbs.
Disconnect the back-drive linkage at your transmission.
Turn the steering column manually to see if your back-up lights will turn on and off.
With the back-up lights activated, turn the ignition key off to see if your steering column will lock.

If this works as intended, maybe the linkage is hooked up incorrectly at the pivot. Also, your back-drive linkage must be hooked up below the reverse shifter shaft on the offset arm. If it is above, it would operate backwords as you described.
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
JodysTransmissions said:
Without seeing your set-up, it is hard to help but, here is what I would do:

Install your two back-up light bulbs.
Disconnect the back-drive linkage at your transmission.
Turn the steering column manually to see if your back-up lights will turn on and off.
With the back-up lights activated, turn the ignition key off to see if your steering column will lock.

If this works as intended, maybe the linkage is hooked up incorrectly at the pivot. Also, your back-drive linkage must be hooked up below the reverse shifter shaft on the offset arm. If it is above, it would operate backwords as you described.
Click to expand...
Thanks Jody. Do you know if there are any exploded view diagrams available that show the linkage, either a good online or print book? I have a Chiltons guide that covers "all" Camaros from '67 to 80-something, but I'd really like a more specific in-depth manual so I could visually see this stuff. The Chilton guide I have just isn't that great.

I want to make sure I'm looking at the right parts when referencing the difference between an "offset arm", "pivot" etc. Right now I wouldn't be able to id those parts specifically. It's all "linkage" to me.
 
#10 ·
I would add that the backup light switch on the column has adjustment too. It needs to work correctly with all the rest of the linkage.
 
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