While on the subject of backup light switches...

While we're on the subject of backup light switches, I was attempting t

track down difficulties with mine yesterday. I have an '89 Cabriole with the manual transmission, though, and at times it seems to be "kit" with few clues (due to a previous owner...). The backup ligh switch connector I found upon the transaxle appears to have four mal prongs in a row though after seeing a photograph on the carpartstog site, I shall have to take a look at it and see if there may be a fift prong arranged by itself. According to the part listing upon th carpartstogo site, this would indicate that it is an upshift indicatin switch even though there is nothing in the instrument cluster that lead me to believe that the car has had an upshift indicator and there ar only two wires (with no white nylon plastic plug housing, only femal spade terminals that appear original and possibly once housed in plug) that I have found leaving the wire bundle under the hood. Th pair of wires I found and tested are definitely the backup lights, a well. As far as I know, neither the instrument cluster nor th engine/transaxle have been swapped out (but we know what assumption cause, eh?) but the combination does seem odd. To make a long story bit shorter, here are my questions: Is it possible to connect th backup lights to two of the prongs (I'm not worried about having a upshift indicator in the least) and, if so, which ones would apply? And, if this is not a solution, is it possible (or practical) t convert it to the two-prong switch? I suppose I could always connect toggle switch to the two wires and post a "preflight checklist" on th dash, eh? ;-) (chuckle) Thanks in advance for any help! (By the way I just went out and looked further at it and it is the five-prong L-shaped switch.

-- Johnnie

Reply to
Johnnie
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There are apparently 2 types of backup light switches for manual transmission Cabbies. One is the L-shaped one you mentioned. There is another one that is cylindrical in shape, has external threads on it, and is referred to as the "screw-in" type. I've seen the 2 types in several online Cabbie catalogs.

Reply to
Papa

Yes, I have noticed the same thing, as well. I have a sneakin suspicion that the transaxle and/or engine may have been swapped out a some point since there is no upshift indicator in my instrument cluste and the wiring harness has only the two wires for backup lights (bot of which have what appear to be the original female spade connection hanging loose with original crimping as if they were once enclosed in female plug), apparently for connection to the screw-in two-connecto switch.

I haven't looked yet (but will in the morning) but a thought occurre to me at work today, too... Might it be possible that there is anothe mounting point upon the transaxle for the screw-in type (since the boo lists two or three locations possible for Rabbits, Scirrocos an Cabriolets) that was simply plugged when the upshift option indicato was chosen? Hmm... I shall have to see

-- Johnnie

Reply to
Johnnie

Regarding the instrument cluster, I was amazed (and dismayed) at the number of versions of them - all of which at first glance look exactly alike. Some have two connectors at the bottom, some have only one, and the connectors themselves come in different configurations and sizes. Some have upshift indicators, some do not. The fuel quantity and water temperature gages vary as to their locations. There are other differences as well. A Cabbie owner who is looking for an appropriate replacement cluster will be lucky if he gets the right one.

Reply to
Papa

Fortunately I haven't had to tackle that problem thus far!

No takers on the backup light switch question? lol I'm going to pla around with it this weekend and see if I can't figure it out if th weather holds... :-

-- Johnnie

Reply to
Johnnie

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