Have 1991 2.2L legacy wagon. Fuse and bulbs good; brake/turn/running lights good. No back-up lights when in reverse. Manual tranny...what type of mechanism for lack of better terminology "engages" the back-up lights to turn on. I would assume that there is some type of mechanical switch that is engaged when the transmission is in reverse or some switch under the center console panel by the stick shift?

 

Ryan

The reverse light switch. And it's on the side of the transmission, not in the console. Check the wiring for the switch first.

 

Should be something similar to this.

 

The reverse switch is number 14.

Edited October 24, 200916 yr by Fairtax4me

When you find the switch on the tranny, unplug it and use a paper clip bent the right way to short the two pins in the plug. If the back-up lights work now (ignition on and engine running), the tranny switch is bad. If the lights still don't work, both bulbs are bad or a broken wire in the harness (if you have a wagon).

i just ASSUMED that the wiring for the back up lights went through the neutral safety switch which is mounted on the trans. (auto anyway)

 

is this wrong??

On the manuals there is a separate switch. On the Auto it is combined with the inhibitor switch.

Switch was bad, replaced and bingo have lights!