Ok, I have had this problem for a few years and keep forgetting to address it. Muncie M20, Hurst Competition Plus shifter (just professionally rebuilt by our own Jason Cook) 72 Skylark Custom convertible. Car was originally a 3 on the tree manual car. I had to buy the reverse lockout set up from Summit (I think) because I foolishly let the original stuff go with either the old steering column or 3 speed Saginaw. When I shift into 3rd gear the reverse lights go on. When I put in reverse, the reverse lights go on as they should. However, its a little tight/have to force it a little into reverse but all the other gears are fine. It functions as it should as the steering wheel locks and the key is able to be removed when in reverse and not any other gear. I have tried to raise and lower the adjustment on the rod to the steering column and can either get the reverse lights to not turn on in 3rd gear but then it won't fully go into reverse or if I get it to go into reverse very smoothly the reverse lights go on in 3rd gear. I assume maybe the rods for different gears have adjustments and may need some tweaking? Any advice and explanations like I'm a 3rd grader would greatly be appreciated. (which rod to adjust left, center or right and which way shorter longer etc.) Thanks for any advice.
Manual trans cars have a back up switch at the base of the column instead of a neutral safety switch. Basically its just an on/ off switch. Its got two terminals on it with two wires. I think pink and green. One wire has power, the other goes to the back up lights. When you put the car in reverse, the column rotates to what would be the "park" position if it had an auto. When that happens, the switch connects the two terminals together and sends 12v to the lights. The switch has a adjustment. If you look at it, the mounting is slotted and the switch can move. Put it in reverse, loosen up the two screws (I think they're 5/16") and adjust it. You can feel the sweet spot when the tab that goes in column hits the terminals in the switch. I can post a couple of pics if it helps And thanks for the plug on the shifter! You put the tool in and adjusted the shifter rods right?
ok, ah yes....I will take a look at the switch on the column. It was a rebuilt column but reused the old switch... I saw the tool, but didn't know I had to use it..... haha or I had to adjust the rods or even how to... just put it back in the way it came out..... What am I looking for, or how to do it? thanks
If the rods are adjusted correctly, you should be able to put the shifter in neutral and insert that white plastic tool into the hole in the bottom of the shifter. The tool basically lines up all the shifter levers in neutral. So with the transmission levers in neutral and the shifter in neutral, you adjust the lengths of the rods so the trunions just fit in the shifter lever holes. Tighten everything up and remove the tool.
