Where is the reverse light switch?

Jayhovah · 08-28-2016, 11:02 AM

Installing my stereo today and I while looking for the reverse light wire I noticed my reverse lights dont work. I am wondering if my mechanic forgot to hook something up when he dropped the tranny for my clutch job. Both the bulbs are good.

Where is that switch?

Thanks guys!

SouthArk370Z · 08-28-2016, 11:40 AM

Probably at the bottom of the shift lever. My guess is that it's the same switch that tells the TCM to shift into reverse if you have an AT. FSM will tell you for sure.

blak max · 03-08-2017, 07:39 PM

Anyone know where the relay is for a manual?

Jayhovah · 03-08-2017, 07:44 PM

relay?

As far as the switch goes... SouthArk was correct, it was at the top of the tranny near the lever. The switch was hooked up, so we ordered another... My mechanic tried unplugging and plugging it back it and it magically started working.. so he just cleaned it and loaded it up with dielectric grease and its been rock solid ever since... returned the unused one.

Jordis · 04-25-2021, 05:18 PM

I can’t see any switch on my 09 Auto transmission.
The only thing I see looks clipped and is possibly the temp sensor?
Could it be located somewhere else?

Javier · 05-02-2021, 04:39 AM

Hello Jordis,
the reverse relay light is behind the stereo, it gets the ground through the TCM (transmission control module) inside transmission. Drivers side kick panel fuse block. Fuse # 4, 10 AMP. Hope this helps, good luck.

Jordis · 05-02-2021, 08:59 AM

Thank you very much Javier

The fuse is good so I guess my dash comes apart ☹️
This should be fun.

Cheers,
C.

Jayhovah · 10-23-2021, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayhovah

relay?

As far as the switch goes... SouthArk was correct, it was at the top of the tranny near the lever. The switch was hooked up, so we ordered another... My mechanic tried unplugging and plugging it back it and it magically started working.. so he just cleaned it and loaded it up with dielectric grease and its been rock solid ever since... returned the unused one.

Back from the dead. A few months after this post the switch stopped working again. 4.5 years later, I finally decided to do something about it.

So I located the switch on the drivers side of the trans, just a bit forward of the shifter. From under the car, there is a bracket in the way -- and for whatever reason, Nissan has the bracket attached with three 12mm bolts even though it only seems to hold wiring harness clips. Why?!

I got the lower two bolts off, but I can't get a wrench on the top bolt. The odd shape of the bracket kind of prevents me from accessing the bolt from most directions. Of course the FSM just says "remove bracket".

I was able to get a deep socket slipped onto it, but there wasn't enough room between it and the wall of the tunnel to get a wrench on it too. I might try getting the socket on and then grabbing the end of it with a pair of vice grips but I am not sure I'll be able to get enough torque to break it loose. May also try two swivels and see if that will let me get to it.

Anyone here access this area before and have any tips on getting that bracket out of the way?

.

Leingod · 10-23-2021, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayhovah

Back from the dead. A few months after this post the switch stopped working again. 4.5 years later, I finally decided to do something about it.

So I located the switch on the drivers side of the trans, just a bit forward of the shifter. From under the car, there is a bracket in the way -- and for whatever reason, Nissan has the bracket attached with three 12mm bolts even though it only seems to hold wiring harness clips. Why?!

I got the lower two bolts off, but I can't get a wrench on the top bolt. The odd shape of the bracket kind of prevents me from accessing the bolt from most directions. Of course the FSM just says "remove bracket".

I was able to get a deep socket slipped onto it, but there wasn't enough room between it and the wall of the tunnel to get a wrench on it too. I might try getting the socket on and then grabbing the end of it with a pair of vice grips but I am not sure I'll be able to get enough torque to break it loose. May also try two swivels and see if that will let me get to it.

Anyone here access this area before and have any tips on getting that bracket out of the way?

.

Yup. And it's a nightmare no matter what you do. Some of us have had good luck using a flex head stubby ratchet wrench from GearWrench.

If yoy haven't, drop the black support brackets slightly. That'll help give yoy a spare inch or so of wiggle room.

Rusty · 10-23-2021, 10:12 PM

I had to replace mine. It's a major PITA. I dropped the tranny support bracket so the rear of the tranny drops down some. The 2 bolts are no problem. That 3rd one, I went in blind and just felt where it was at. I did mange to get a 3/8" drive socket on it with a flex joint.

Jayhovah · 10-24-2021, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leingod

If yoy haven't, drop the black support brackets slightly. That'll help give yoy a spare inch or so of wiggle room.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty

I dropped the tranny support bracket so the rear of the tranny drops down some.

Thanks guys, this is the tip I needed. After I dropped that bracket, I was able to get my 3/8" ratchet with a deep socket on that bolt.

Unfortunately now I have the exact same problem, with the switch itself. The only deep sockets I have that will fit it are 1/2" drive and won't fit up there with the wrench. I tried slipping the socket on and trying to grab it with vice grips, but couldn't get enough torque to break it loose.

I think these little adapters from HF will solve the problem, and something I never knew I needed until I just turned it up searching. I can imagine they will come in handy again the future.
https://www.harborfreight.com/3-piec...aps-67011.html

Jayhovah · 11-01-2021, 03:03 PM

Finally had time to get back underneath the car. The little HF adapters were perfect and I'll be glad to have them in my toolbox going forward. Took nearly 5 years, but my reverse lights are working again (along with my backup camera which is triggered by them).

08-28-2016, 11:40 AM	#2 (permalink)
SouthArk370Z Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 8,435 Drives: 2014 Challenger Rep Power: 324198	Probably at the bottom of the shift lever. My guess is that it's the same switch that tells the TCM to shift into reverse if you have an AT. FSM will tell you for sure. __________________ Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

03-08-2017, 07:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
blak max Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: CFL Posts: 476 Drives: Ls swapped 370z Rep Power: 3369	Anyone know where the relay is for a manual? __________________ LS 370Z ~ Fueled Racing ~ CSF radiator ~ Vis Racing ~ Braum Racing ~ SPLparts~ Vossen~Odessey Battery

05-02-2021, 04:39 AM	#6 (permalink)
Javier Base Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 40 Drives: 09 nissan 370z Rep Power: 10139	Reverse light switch Automatic transmission Hello Jordis, the reverse relay light is behind the stereo, it gets the ground through the TCM (transmission control module) inside transmission. Drivers side kick panel fuse block. Fuse # 4, 10 AMP. Hope this helps, good luck.

10-23-2021, 10:12 PM	#10 (permalink)
Rusty Ronin Samurai - Assassin Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Fayettenam,Pennsyltucky Age: 69 Posts: 35,350 Drives: 2011 Nismo GM 6M Rep Power: 2684438	I had to replace mine. It's a major PITA. I dropped the tranny support bracket so the rear of the tranny drops down some. The 2 bolts are no problem. That 3rd one, I went in blind and just felt where it was at. I did mange to get a 3/8" drive socket on it with a flex joint. __________________ 浪人 - 殺し屋 "The Difficult Anytime, The Impossible By Appointment Only" http://www.the370z.com/members-370z-...o-journal.html

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