"71 road runner 4speed reverse lights suddenly stopped working

[road robert]

I just took my bird for annual safety inspection and the reverse lights AND the light on the dash don't work all of a sudden - they've always worked in the past, figures it quits at the the time when needed the most! I haven't begone troubleshooting yet reaching out to the tribe first.

 

[Roger63]

The first thing I would check is the switch

 

[moes]

https://www.forbbodiesonly.com/mopa...ghts-and-reverse-indicator-not-working.54313/

 

[T2R9]

Here is the diagram for your 71. You should have 12 volts at port 8 with the key on. 12 volts on 7 when in reverse. If not check the connection and if its good continuity on the switch when in reverse. If not the switch is at fault.

 

[road robert]

Thanks tribe - Parked the car and ran some errands then as soon as I started the car and put in reverse to start troubleshooting all started working again! I'm guessing either the switch in trans was sticking/at fault or I have a marginal connection/contact at the switch or bulkhead connector. I'll check both to be proactive. It sure is nice having the reverse light in the dash, although I did a reverse burnout fail once last year when I forgot to check it!

 

[Nacho-RT74]

70% of the times, the failure comes from marginal or missed contacts on this specific issue either being auto or manual. We must thing the transmission harness then the engine harness are the two harness living on the most agressive enviroment of all the car. The rest use to get a longer life in good or decent conditions

 

[kiwigtx]

....also check to see that the switch is tightened correctly into the transmission.

The switch operation does not have a lot of 'throw'.