I just bought my 91 dx sedan in november and am having this problem now. I've unplugged the lights, then plugged them back in and they still come on. What im thinking is that it may be a bad tranny sensor? What's your take on this guys? All comments welcome, need this fixed its hazardous. Thanks!

 

is it a manual or automatic?

if manual, check the sensor on the trans for the correct change in continuity when going in and out of reverse. if that checks out, you have a short somewhere.

if its auto, check out the contacts on the shifter mechanism, if thats is good, then you have a short somewhere.

 

My bad it's a manual 5 speed. I understand the continuity part but how exactly do I check that ( in and out of reverse)? What do I do, do I need and Ohm meter?

 

yup, unplug the sensor from the harness, then use your ohm meter and connect to the two contacts on the sensor. when out of reverse it should show no continuity, when in reverse it should show a low ohm reading, indicating a good switch. ( I may have this reversed, but either way, it should be different ohm readings when it is in vs. out of reverse.)

 

Thanks!! Ok and one more question does the car have to be on or can I test it with the key switch turned to the "on" posistion?

 

I would put it into the last position just before you push it over to crank that car.

 

It really shouldn't matter. You can turn your headlights on without the car being on. Same with brake lights. But whatever try with it in the ON position.

 

nope shouldn't matter, you are just testing the switch in this step, its shouldn't be connected to anything

 

Yea, you guys are right with it disconnected it should still have continuity. It's been a while since Electricity class haha. Thanks, and i'm going to try first thing tommorow so i'll let you guys know whats up.

 

Sounds good, let us know what happens, if the switch check out ok, then you have to trace the wire to the back of the car, because somewhere along the way there is a short to +12 volts. in my 92-95 manual it says it should be the green/black wire coming off the sensor, but i dk if it is the same for your ef

 

God I hope it's not a short, those are a bitch to pinpoint (sometimes). Ok guys i'll keep you posted.

 

Ohm meter will definately work but there's an even easier way...

Yes the key has to be on (engine off), otherwise the lights would still be on when u leave it parked in rev. gear and take the key out and walk away....

Put it in neutral and turn the key to "on"...your rev. lights will be on, if ur having the problem you described,

Now unplug the sensor from harness. The lights should no longer be on. You can bridge the terminals from the harness to manually switch the rev. lights on and off and this checks the wiring. If they didn't turn off at all, make absolutly sure u unplugged the right thing and then you can check the wiring.

 

Hey man im about to fall asleep, so if I dont answer I will in the morning. Yes when its in nuetral the rev. lights stay on continuously. What exactly do you mean "bridge" the terminals, how would I do this?

 

Disconect the switch in the trans and see if the lights go out if they do it is the switch that is bad if they stay on then you have a short.I think it is green wire and yellow wire to the switch.

 

When you unplug the terminals from the sensor, you'll have a male end and a female end, plug them into each other and your lights should come back on, and when you unplug them the lights should go off, or if there's not enough slack in the wires use a paper clip or something to make the connection.

 

Thanks man, and damn dudes I woke up and its raining...wth. and my school is closed so I cant take it up there. If it stops and clears up then ill go out, but until then it looks like im going to have to wait until tomorrow, bummer.

 

Oh ok I thought that's what you were saying, I just got confused.

 

ok, u understand, here's a pic anyway, they always seem to help...

 

Alright sweet, yes I understand and yes pic helps alot

 

Ok I found the green and yellow wires, and with the key turned to the "on" position I unpugged both terminals and the lights turned off. Then plugged them back up and the lights turned back on. Also, I unplugged the green wire with the yellow wire still plugged up and both rev. lights went out. So you thinks it's the sensor?

 

yes it is the sensor that is at fault. could be broken internally somehow, or perhaps the plunger that moves in when the car is put in reverse has become lodged somehow and is not popping back out. you'll be able to tell once you remove it from the trans though.

 

Hmm, looks like im going to the junk yard monday.

 

Finally got around to getting the reverse sensor. Installed it and the lights come on when in reverse gear, and off when out of reverse gear.