OK.

Here is my problem. Since buying my car (68 dart Auto) about 1 yr ago i have not had working reverse lights. I have check the bulbs and wiring and all that is fine. Where is the switch for the reverse lights located in my car? I have looked over the tranny as best as I can but am kind of unsure what to look for.

Thanks,
Jay

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Stock 68 dart 225.

On your '68, unless it is a very late production unit, the reverse lamp switch is mounted on the steering column below the dash (with column-shift automatic) or mounted to the shifter below the console (with floor-shift automatic). The switches can be cleaned and adjusted so that they cause the lights to come on with the shifter in the correct "R" position. Sometimes the little finger that comes out of the top or side of the column to trigger the switch can break off and you must fashion a replacement with materials you find available. If your '68 is a late-production unit, it has the '69-up arrangement wherein the reverse lamp switch is combined with the neutral safety switch, screwed into the transmission with a 3-wire plug on it.

Back the car up to a plate glass window and peer at the lamps as you slowly shift the lever through its full range of movement. Do the lights flash on at all? If so, the switch needs adjustment. If not, check the switch for function. The '69-up setup can fail if the finger on the pawl in the transmission gets worn down so it doesn't push the switch all the way where it's supposed to go. Then you're looking at replacement valve body parts!

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

its an early style 68 with a colum shift. where do i need to look at under the colum?

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Stock 68 dart 225.

You'll find the switch perched atop the column housing about midway between the firewall and the dashboard.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

You have saved me any fustrations and helped many people in Orangeville from hitting me. No more Beeping before backing

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Stock 68 dart 225.

Sounds like you were able to get them working, maybe with a switch adjustment?

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

i'm still looking for the switch but I know the swicth was toast because it looked like it was set onfire.

Where could I find that switch?
I tried Napa and they have no clue where to get it.

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Stock 68 dart 225.

You will not find that switch at any parts store or dealer. You'll have to find a good used or New Old Stock item.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Well i took it apart today and cleaned it up and it kinda works i thgink it need a new set of internal contacts so I may fabricate them and see what happens. Just cleaning it out has made the lights come on but they are "skiddish" because the contacts are so worn.

It was so easy to clean but i looked like tha guy before me had packed it full of axle grease because it was SOME nasty inside.

I just took it apart and clean out the crud insie then lightley brushed the contacts with a little solvent and then applied di-electric grease.

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Stock 68 dart 225.

Now that i fixed the switch i have another problem.

the little finger coming off the colum wont stay on. Has onlyone made a new finger if so with what?

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Stock 68 dart 225.

Anything that'll work! A piece of dowelling, or if the little metal tang under the finger is still OK, you could put a piece of rubber hose on it...

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

I'll try that this weekend. right now I am so fed up w/ the car i am thinking of selling.(I know I wont though)


Whats happening is i think the tang on the bottom is broken because when u shift it doe not have enough security to stay in the hole and it just flops over and doesnt move the switch at all.


I'll let you know.

p.s Dan Thank you very much for all the help you are giving me it means alot concidering i'm only 22 and have no clue how to fix these old cars.

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Stock 68 dart 225.

Di-electric grease is good for many types of connections. (Excellent corrosion protection). Glad you replaced it. The stuff does get nasty after 30+ years... that's probably the gunk you cleaned out of there. (I doubt it would have been an intentional application of axle grease.)

- Erik

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Lots of early Valiants and Barracudas have crossed my path.
Also a handful of other toys for variety now and then.

You have clearly never met my father! Grease is grease ya know...

I got the finger fixed and the switch mounted. Yes!

Last probem but 1 that I can fix easily. Now the lights only come on in "N" but all i need to do is widet the head of the bolt i used to replace the finger.

Thanks everyone for all your insite

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Stock 68 dart 225.