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Canadian Poncho Homepage -> Canadian Poncho -> General Beaumont Discussion -> Troubleshooting backup lights on a 1966 Beaumont
Post Info TOPIC: Troubleshooting backup lights on a 1966 Beaumont
blackbird307


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Troubleshooting backup lights on a 1966 Beaumont
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None of them go on at all when I go into reverse. I tried testing both the sockets using a direct jumper from the battery and they seem to work. The car has a 3 on the tree standard transmission with the shifter on the column. I figured the switch was gone. I searched far and wide on the internet as to where it might be, getting answers that it could be either in the steering column (3 on the tree) or in the tranny. I already took apart the steering column (huge mistake) and went through trouble of having to get the turn signal lights to work again no. I know now it's in the tranny but I can't see any wires going anywhere into it. Maybe it's not hooked up? I'm pretty much lost at this point. Could someone help me?

I need to get this fixed for a safety inspection, wish I could just slap a chevelle bumper and call it a day!

Thanks.



-- Edited by blackbird307 on Monday 10th of June 2013 03:25:05 PM

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Lefty


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might also look like this Part # 17
66.jpg



-- Edited by Lefty on Monday 10th of June 2013 09:59:18 PM

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Lefty


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could look like this chevelle one

66 nss.jpg



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BOSSY


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Look for a switch in the engine bay on the levers at the bottom of steering column should be two wires on it.



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Ron Bedard
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It shouldn't be in the transmission if it's the original trans.

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03cts sport


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Carl Stevenson wrote:

It shouldn't be in the transmission if it's the original trans.

 Am I right in saying that the only automatic in 66 was a powerglide (as opposed to a 3 speed)?



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seventy2plus2


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Now time for my usual question, what does the wiring diagram say?  I'd presume there are only 2 places the backup light switch would be:

1) on the transmission itself (not IN the transmission).   2) on the steering column as part of the neutral switch (similar to the photo Lefty posted).   

I don't believe I've ever seen it on the engine bay side of the steering column, but I'm not a Beaumont guru.



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4SPEED427


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03cts sport wrote:

Carl Stevenson wrote:

It shouldn't be in the transmission if it's the original trans.

 Am I right in saying that the only automatic in 66 was a powerglide (as opposed to a 3 speed)?




Yes, but if I read right, he has a 3 on the tree (manual)

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1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars (now converted to a "factory" 4 speed)
Lefty


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I believe the only time it was mounted on the transmission was in 63 to go along with the floor shift. like this page
powerglide parts.jpg
seventy2plus2 wrote:

Now time for my usual question, what does the wiring diagram say?  I'd presume there are only 2 places the backup light switch would be:

1) on the transmission itself (not IN the transmission).   2) on the steering column as part of the neutral switch (similar to the photo Lefty posted).   

I don't believe I've ever seen it on the engine bay side of the steering column, but I'm not a Beaumont guru.

 



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4SPEED427


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Lefty wrote:

I believe the only time it was mounted on the transmission was in 63 to go along with the floor shift. like this page
powerglide parts.jpg
seventy2plus2 wrote:

Now time for my usual question, what does the wiring diagram say?  I'd presume there are only 2 places the backup light switch would be:

1) on the transmission itself (not IN the transmission).   2) on the steering column as part of the neutral switch (similar to the photo Lefty posted).   

I don't believe I've ever seen it on the engine bay side of the steering column, but I'm not a Beaumont guru.

 




But that is an automatic.

I think I need to go dig in the parts book!

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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles 

1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars (now converted to a "factory" 4 speed)
seventy2plus2


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Gang, to help the gent, please note this in his original post:

"The car has a 3 on the tree standard transmission with the shifter on the column."    



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4SPEED427


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I just checked. All the following info pertains to a 3 speed column shift manual trans.

A 65 Chevelle uses the same back up switch as a 66 Beaumont. I looked in the 65 Chevelle service manual, because I have that one. The back up switch on a 65 Chevelle is mounted on the steering column, just inside the firewall.

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1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars (now converted to a "factory" 4 speed)
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Islander


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I have a copy of a 1965 chevelle assembly manual, it may provide some clues if you are stuck. Let me know and I can scan the page for you. The three on the tree should be very close for the Beaumont. I'm using the manual to figure out what is required to maintain functioning back up lights on my 66 when I convert from column shift PG to four speed. 



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blackbird307


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YES!!! You were right, it is on top of my steering column by the the firewall... would have never looked there. I also found out the lights go when I wiggle the shifter while in reverse a certain way. Maybe my switch needs adjusting? Any idea how to do this? I'm going to try tightening/loosening the bolts on the switch see if that does anything.



-- Edited by blackbird307 on Tuesday 11th of June 2013 04:10:41 PM

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blackbird307


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I figured out why the switch wasn't being toggled. The thing that's attached to the shifter that hits the switch is too far up (towards the steering wheel). Replacing the switch would only result in the same problem. I don't think there is anything wrong with the switch, maybe I should move it upwards if it helps, but the bolts on it aren't coming off and it's making things difficult.




Update: The metal shim on steering column which caught onto the switch was worn away and was missing it. I resolved the problem by customizing the switch so it would extend lower into the column and welded additional metal onto the shim.



-- Edited by blackbird307 on Tuesday 11th of June 2013 08:37:45 PM



-- Edited by blackbird307 on Wednesday 19th of June 2013 12:12:30 PM



-- Edited by blackbird307 on Wednesday 19th of June 2013 12:13:11 PM

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seventy2plus2


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Is it on the passenger compartment side of the firewall or the engine compartment side?   I would expect the passenger compartment side.  Sounds to me like it may be dirty as well - not sure how easy it would be to clean.



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Lefty


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get a part number off the old one and get a new one.
put a small buzzer under the dash connected to the light side that
way you will know when it is working so when you go to the test you can make sure
they can see "the light"



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rabbit64cs


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they are usually slotted holes so you can do some find adjustment



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