Just got this truck, it's reverse lights are always on. I just got the beck/arnley replacement today. I installed it (no ball bearing came out of the hole after the switch). Before installing, I checked the switch, plunger up = lights, plunger down = no lights. After installation, Stick in reverse = lights on, Stick in any other gear = lights on. Am I missing a part? It looked like the original switch was still installed, so where did the ball bearing go? LOL If I'm missing the ball bearing, does anyone know where to find one easily? Thanks. (BTW - This truck is so cool, I can't wait to spend more than I paid for the truck to fix all of the things that have gone wrong at 196,000 miles :))

Welcome to 4x4Wire!

I would suggest a trip to your local wrecking yard is in order. Otherwise, consult a friendly transmission shop.

Wonder what happened to the ball? Hmm.

Cheers,
Russell

consulted transmission shops, I can see why you added "friendly"! I found a place that would be happy for me try out a couple of different diameters while on-site.

No one could find a part number, they suggested that it would be sure-fire if it came with a professional rebuild kit.

Thanks for the help.

The ball is about 8mm dia if I recall, just had one in my hand 3 days ago, I can pull it out and measure if needed.
There are two different length switches, I would not expect you would have been supplied the short switch in error.

If you have a small shop magnet check up in the hole to see if the ball is there. Or measure the depth and see how close the the threaded length of the switch.

Thanks! I'll try to get a picture and some measurements tomorrow. The guy at the transmission place had a couple of pointers. The FSM casually illustrates that the ball will come out of the hole, right after the switch. But then again, it also shows some sort of flat washer or seal in the assembly too. LOL

I was able to get a peek inside of the hole, the threaded portion goes up to a flat inner surface on the top, then the hole that accepts the plunger is bored out from that top surface. I did not see a ball bearing stuck in the hole.

One theory is that a previous owner took the switch out, and maybe inadvertently let the ball bearing fall out into some tall grass

I guess I should check the old switch with a meter to see if there would have been a reason to remove the switch in the first place. I guess it's possible that this transmission was a replacement for the original.

Whatever the reason, someone's solution was to simply remove the bulbs from the reverse lights. I was so happy when I put them back in and the lights came on. Not so happy when I took it out of reverse and they STAYED on!

And yes, I did remove the seat so I could access the junction to check voltage on the wire under the passenger side. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

I'm assuming that the switch housing reduces in diameter beyond (above)the plunger hole (to hold the ball into place), because, as rough as the tranny sounds, I think it would sound a whole lot worse if an 8mm ball bearing were loose in there. LOL

I know I'm being a little obsessive about this question, but it took quite a while to find out what I know now on the net. Hopefully all this documentation will save someone else some time later.

Thanks Again, I'll post what I find out tomorrow.

Either having the short switch or the lack of the ball will not depress the switch. The oil can hold the ball up in there for some time after the switch is removed and let it drop out later unseen at the time. Guess how I learned this <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Here's the hole: I guess there's nothing in there.

1st Gear:




Reverse Gear:



Original Switch: M-87 embossed on one side / 098-2 on the other. (I found the flat washer when I was cleaning up for the photo <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />)





Original side by side with Beck/Arnley 201-1845. Tested original Plunger down=open Plunger up=closed



It should only take another couple of weeks to find the right ball bearing to go in there!!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Pull down a copy of ASA and check for the part#, it has it buried someplace in there.

I checked one of my transmissions, the ball used can be either 5/16 or 8mm diameter. Many hardware stores have loose ball bearings or get them from a bearing supply.
From a dealer the part is # MF540010