VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Radios, Tools, Accessories 48 Back up light adjustment

After many tries I can not adjust the switch only to catch reverse,It catches 2nd also...I'm sure its all in the shift linkage adjustment,but I thought I'd ask

Help needed

This is the only picture I could find in my collection of pic's. Does yours look like this.

How about a pic of yours. Sounds like maybe the switch arm is sticking out too far?

Aug. 15-17 just around the corner.

Yes Russell that would be the switch...You would think the shifting locations of reverse and 2nd gear would be different enough not to engage the switch at the same location...I am probably not explaining this very well and will post some pics...As with the linkage itself I may need to find another set of eyes to watch as the switch is being engaged through the gears...The good news is that the switch and rear light work well

I can not tell if the stud with the spring is adjustable? You can push the shift column up that 3/4" from under the hood, with you hand,to see what the clearance is. ??????

That 3/4" comes from "the book". The actual travel is only 7/16".

Yes the stud with the spring is adjustable...If you put the car in reverse and adjust the stud with the spring just enough to engage the shift lever the light will be powered...Unfortunatly at this adjustment position it also engages when shifted into 2nd

Sorry Russell I worked late Sat. and am working today but hope to get on this a little later,should get home early....I find it hard to beleive there is no others with a 40's back up light switch that is or was catching reverse and 2nd gear....I seam to not get alot of takers when I bring up these questions about accessarys....my original plan was to change out my vacumm assist and reajust all the rods and shift levers,hoping this would fix the back up light switch opperation as well..Not going to happen this this summer...

Been thinking, if I were in your shoes, at this point, I would call Austin Ott, our T. A..

Early on, when I was researching my car, I called Mr. Ott several times. He really enjoys helping us '47, '48'ers. Just do it. You won't be sorry. Hardest part will be, hanging-up!

Trust me on this one. He would not be a T. A. if he did not want to help. Just ask Ken. He is T. A. #26 in the G & D. We too often forget about this service.

Russell,that will be my next move...after fiddling around with the shifting linkage for a while yesterday,I have determined the solution has to be the distance adjustment of the spring loaded shaft on the switch not the height of the shift lever.Yes the shift lever must be high enough to turn the switch on but at what postion the lever is when it engages the switch is critcal...I will keep playing around with this and report back on my findings

Re: Instructions for back up light switch [Re: chef-chevy]



decarter

Backyard Mechanic

Registered: January 02, 2002
Posts: 402
Loc: Novelty, OH



I have the instruction sheet for installing the back-up light and switch. In addition to showing the wiring diagram, it does discuss the adjustments necessary to make sure the switch only comes on in reverse. That's the purpose of the two nuts on the arm, so you can shorten or lengthen the arm to contact only the reverse lever. Hopefully, after you look at it, it will make sense. I'll email you a copy. Will also post under VCCA Member's Photos. I think you can download and copy in full size from there...


Edited by decarter (January 23, 2010 21:28)
_________________________
Dale Carter
VCCA #8661
1948 Fleetmaster Convertible

Dale could you e-mail me the instructions?

Sorry found them



I did not learn anything new though

Wish I could help. I have not installed my light / switch yet. I was hoping to do that this summer.

Dale : Could you email me a copy of the instructions ? I tried to get from what you posted and it prints toooooo small.

Ken

Ken,the key to the switch working properly is in the initial instalation and ajustment of all your shift rods,levers vacuum assist etc.

Did you ever get your backup light to work properly? I am having the same problem and the shift rod adjustments are right on and the vacuum shift works perfectly. But I still have to hold the gearshift up in reverse to keep the backup light on. I can very little difference between the reverse position and 2nd gear position. Has soon as you release the shift lever the sift lever is pulled downward on the steering column by the spring at the bottom of the column and the switch arm slips off the lever. Any ideas or help is appreciated.
Regards,
j7l2

If the original posters are not on this site anymore, has anyone else had this problem or know of a solution for it? Appreciate any input.
Regards,
j7l2

Chef Chevy passed away.

https://vccachat.org/ubbthreads.php/topics/390792/bruce-fry-chef-chevy.html#Post390792

Sadly I have not tried to install mine yet.