Column Shift + Backup Light Switch Problem
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Column Shift + Backup Light Switch Problem
My 1985 S10 Blazer with automatic transmission has a problem with the backup light switch and the column shift mechanism possibly caused by the shifter rotating too far counterclockwise into Park.
For anyone who hasn't had to mess with this, this model uses a white plastic sliding switch that snaps into the steering column to control backup lights and Park-Neutral starting. The switch has a plastic tang that fits into a notch in the shifting mechanism. You then have to fine-tune the switch to your car by moving a sliding contact position adjustment that stays in place via a plastic toothed ratchet.
I can set my switch to the proper alignment so that the backup lights come on with the shifter in Reverse. The problem is when you shift back into Park, the shifting mechanism knocks the switch out of adjustment. What seems to be happening is that the column shift mechanism rotates farther than it was designed to counterclockwise when you put the car in Park. I guess this could be from years of wear. It was originally my father's car, and he could be hard on the controls of his cars. I can see him banging it into Park. An alternative cause could be that the transmission was completely rebuilt. I don't know how much adjustment there is in the shift mechanism or if they could have gotten something off when they reattached it.
I thought it was a bad switch, so I replaced it, but I have the same problem with the new switch, so we can rule that out.
What I'm hoping to find is someone who knows about the steering column shifters on these cars who could tell me what's supposed to act as a counterclockwise stop for the shifter. Is there any way to stop it rotating too far? I guess I could try supergluing the switch, but I don't know how long that would hold.
I did find one other case of this same thing happening from another forum ten years ago, but they never solved it or didn't post a solution.
I'd be very grateful for any suggestions.
For anyone who hasn't had to mess with this, this model uses a white plastic sliding switch that snaps into the steering column to control backup lights and Park-Neutral starting. The switch has a plastic tang that fits into a notch in the shifting mechanism. You then have to fine-tune the switch to your car by moving a sliding contact position adjustment that stays in place via a plastic toothed ratchet.
I can set my switch to the proper alignment so that the backup lights come on with the shifter in Reverse. The problem is when you shift back into Park, the shifting mechanism knocks the switch out of adjustment. What seems to be happening is that the column shift mechanism rotates farther than it was designed to counterclockwise when you put the car in Park. I guess this could be from years of wear. It was originally my father's car, and he could be hard on the controls of his cars. I can see him banging it into Park. An alternative cause could be that the transmission was completely rebuilt. I don't know how much adjustment there is in the shift mechanism or if they could have gotten something off when they reattached it.
I thought it was a bad switch, so I replaced it, but I have the same problem with the new switch, so we can rule that out.
What I'm hoping to find is someone who knows about the steering column shifters on these cars who could tell me what's supposed to act as a counterclockwise stop for the shifter. Is there any way to stop it rotating too far? I guess I could try supergluing the switch, but I don't know how long that would hold.
I did find one other case of this same thing happening from another forum ten years ago, but they never solved it or didn't post a solution.
I'd be very grateful for any suggestions.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 699
From: West-Central Florida
My 1985 S10 Blazer with automatic transmission has a problem with the backup light switch and the column shift mechanism possibly caused by the shifter rotating too far counterclockwise into Park.
For anyone who hasn't had to mess with this, this model uses a white plastic sliding switch that snaps into the steering column to control backup lights and Park-Neutral starting. The switch has a plastic tang that fits into a notch in the shifting mechanism. You then have to fine-tune the switch to your car by moving a sliding contact position adjustment that stays in place via a plastic toothed ratchet.
I can set my switch to the proper alignment so that the backup lights come on with the shifter in Reverse. The problem is when you shift back into Park, the shifting mechanism knocks the switch out of adjustment. What seems to be happening is that the column shift mechanism rotates farther than it was designed to counterclockwise when you put the car in Park. I guess this could be from years of wear. It was originally my father's car, and he could be hard on the controls of his cars. I can see him banging it into Park. An alternative cause could be that the transmission was completely rebuilt. I don't know how much adjustment there is in the shift mechanism or if they could have gotten something off when they reattached it.
I thought it was a bad switch, so I replaced it, but I have the same problem with the new switch, so we can rule that out.
What I'm hoping to find is someone who knows about the steering column shifters on these cars who could tell me what's supposed to act as a counterclockwise stop for the shifter. Is there any way to stop it rotating too far? I guess I could try supergluing the switch, but I don't know how long that would hold.
I did find one other case of this same thing happening from another forum ten years ago, but they never solved it or didn't post a solution.
I'd be very grateful for any suggestions.
For anyone who hasn't had to mess with this, this model uses a white plastic sliding switch that snaps into the steering column to control backup lights and Park-Neutral starting. The switch has a plastic tang that fits into a notch in the shifting mechanism. You then have to fine-tune the switch to your car by moving a sliding contact position adjustment that stays in place via a plastic toothed ratchet.
I can set my switch to the proper alignment so that the backup lights come on with the shifter in Reverse. The problem is when you shift back into Park, the shifting mechanism knocks the switch out of adjustment. What seems to be happening is that the column shift mechanism rotates farther than it was designed to counterclockwise when you put the car in Park. I guess this could be from years of wear. It was originally my father's car, and he could be hard on the controls of his cars. I can see him banging it into Park. An alternative cause could be that the transmission was completely rebuilt. I don't know how much adjustment there is in the shift mechanism or if they could have gotten something off when they reattached it.
I thought it was a bad switch, so I replaced it, but I have the same problem with the new switch, so we can rule that out.
What I'm hoping to find is someone who knows about the steering column shifters on these cars who could tell me what's supposed to act as a counterclockwise stop for the shifter. Is there any way to stop it rotating too far? I guess I could try supergluing the switch, but I don't know how long that would hold.
I did find one other case of this same thing happening from another forum ten years ago, but they never solved it or didn't post a solution.
I'd be very grateful for any suggestions.
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