maxima297

I've recently discovered that my reverse lights don't work when I'm in reverse. The bulbs and wires seem to be good, and I was told there's a switch to activate the reverse lights. If this is the case, where would it be located? I have a 5 speed 4th gen, just got it 3 months ago and am still learning where everything is on this car.

DennisMik

iTrader: (2)

The reverse switch is combined with the neutral position switch and is on the transmission.

See page 7 in the link below:

http://boredmder.com/FSMs/Nissan/Maxima/1997/MT.pdf

Interestingly enough,the the transmission section (the link above) says the reverse switch uses pins 2 & 4. The electrical wiring diagram say the reverse switch uses pins 1 & 3. Obviously one of them is wrong, so check both halves.

maxima297

Would that also be why my car only starts in neutral?

DennisMik

iTrader: (2)

As far as I know, it should start in any gear. The switch on the clutch pedal is for that.

I think the neutral position part of the switch is for the cruise control.

yellow_cake

For '98 and earlier: pin 2 & 4 has continuity in reverse gear, pin 1 & 3 in neutral.

For '99 models: pin 1 & 3 has continuity in reverse gear, pin 2 & 4 in neutral.


I got this info from the Haynes manual, which I used when diagnosing the switch on my '99.

vqmaxman

Try to check the pnp switch could be.bad,than check for voltage in the pins and harness wires.

asand1

iTrader: (1)

Fun fact. When I was rolling down hill hill in neutral and hit resume, the engine shot up to 7k. Neutral does not matter, the clutch pedal cancels it.

DennisMik

iTrader: (2)

The clutch switch is in series with the brake pedal switch and when either of these switches operate, they "undo" the SET button.

In auto trans cars the park/neutral switch is used in place of the manual trans clutch switch.

So a manual trans car does not use the neutral switch and that allows the cruise control module to rev the engine in an effort to maintain speed while in neutral. I think this was a big oversight.