REVERSE LIGHTS AND BLINKERS AINT WORKIN! HELP!!!!

[DBridge]

The reverse lights aint comin on when she pops in reverse! I try to turn on the turn signals and that aint workin neither! Could be possibly that the car is out of Blinker Fluid?   LOL, I aint that stupid! But really, new bulbs, that aint helpin none! Electrics really aint my favorite type of thing to do on a car bit we all got to do it.... And I aint really copin with it lol. Ya'll got solutions? My ears is open

[Fbodywarehouse]

What years is that I think I have a diagram for you on the electrical system.Maybe a ground issue

[DBridge]

1980 year model
It might be, I was thinkin the neutral safety swich and a flasher? I could be wrong cause thats how it always is with my luck. haha

[NOT A TA]

Do you have an electric meter? Checked fuses? Is this a new problem that just started on a vehicle being driven or an issue that was purchased with the car? Worked on electrical system lately? Did both symptoms start at the same time? Details would help.

[Fbodywarehouse]

Between the guys here (NOT A TA, HAMMER, Myeslf and BlkBird) I am sure we will get ya all set1

[BlkBird]

Thanks Pete for the last billing. How about BlkBird, NOT A TA, HAMMER and Pete! LMAO, j/k.

O.k. well to start with they're PROBABLY not related. But lets try and narrow that down a bit. We'll start with your turn signal problem. When you put your foot on the brake do you have tail lights? When you turn on your hazard flashers do they work? If not, you are probably correct thinking its the flasher itself. When you turn on your head lights do all the other lights that are suppose to come on, come on (side markers, tail lights, front marker lights)?

If you're good with all that, you're probably good on your fuses, if not (since you've already changed bulbs) start there. That's free to check and cheap to fix. Another common problem on any car with age is simply the turn signal mechanism in the steering column wears out. When you move the stalk up and down do you still hear an audible "click" or does it just kinda slide up and down? If that's a problem, that's a more involved fix so lets hope its not that.

That's probably enough on the turn signals, lets think about the reverse lights. O.k., I dont know how many prior owners your car has had or how "rigged" things have gotten over the years or if this is a problem that is new or the car has had since youve had it and did'nt realize it 'til now but incase you're not familiar with how those reverse lights are triggered, when you move the floor shifter it not only moves a lever on the transmission but a linkage tied into your steering column, that linkage is what moves the neutral saftey switch. Alot of times people remove that linkage because it interferes with headers. So does your car have headers? If so, and you dont feel like crawling under the car to look to see if that linkage is still there, here's a bit of a trick, move the shifter and watch the upper part of the steering column just below the steering wheel (where a column shifter WOULD be if your car had it), that should rotate as you move the shifter (just like you were moving an invisible column shifter). That will let you know that linkage is atleast still on your car. If that's good and you've already changed your bulbs and checked your fuses it could very well be the NSS itself.

[Hammer]

here is a visual for the Reverse light issue as Blkbird described.


You can have someone turn the above while you watch the rear of the car for reverse lights. 

[DBridge]

Oh, I see. The car will satart up in any Gear, Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive, and everything lol. My bro said it could be the NSW. I will look for headers and all the next time I get it in the garage. Like I said, my car is like a girlfriend so it takes all your money, well, I had about $30 bucks and the Alternator's bearings are shot, but it works for the time being, but I aint going nowhere with a bad alt. I'll replace it. The NSW would not (if it was there) let me start the car in any other gear except neutral and park. So it must be the NSW.
By the way, It is RIGGED!!! The transmission dipstick tube was a piece of pipe before I replaced it with a dipstick and tube, They pieced the 2 air conditionin hoses with heater hose, and a whole lot more. The wiring is ok, but they must have taken out the NSW and the flasher must be worn out. The turn signal mechanism IS worn out. Easy fix. Push down too far on it turnin on the left turn signal, the horn honks lol

[DBridge]

Alright, I see now how it can interfere with headers, the linkage from the transmission is there, but can't install it. It doesnt move at all, but at least the linkage is still there. Thanks alot!
We also checked that flasher. I unplugged it and shook it, sound like sand in there. So thats messed up too. Was the original unit a plastic one or a metal one?
All ya'lls help is appreciated
This sites awesome lol

[BlkBird]

Im going to let Pete answer that one for the risk of being wrong. Personally Ive never seen a flasher that was'nt round and metal, but Ive never owned anything past a '78...well I owned an '80 but it was brief and never did any work to it. Luckily for you they are cheap though so that should be an easy fix for ya!
As far as the linkage, Im not sure how it can be there an not move when you move the shifter, but Im not there in person to see what you're seeing either. I would think if its not moving, you're probably missing atleast the piece that ties that linkage to the rod that moves the steering column. Perhaps (and Im saying perhaps because I really dont know) Hammer will be able to pull out one of those magnificant pics he always seems to have of what you SHOULD be seeing. But it atleast seems we got you on the right track.

[DBridge]

Yeah man, ya'll helpin me out alot, and I greatly appreciate it. Idk where id be with the car if it wasnt for ya'll. If I need help, ya'll are there! I cant begin to thank you guys enough

[BlkBird]

No problem, we try to pride ourselves on helping anyone that we can because we've all been there, and continue to be there. You can help us in return by getting the word out about AGTA to anyone you know who has a Firebird of any year.

[DBridge]

Oh yeah, Thats one thing I can do. I hsvent found anyone around here with one, if I have, theyre sellin em....Wait, just now thinkin bout it, my cousin has one. Its a late 90's model. I'll see if her or her dad will join up. They did have a 68 Firebird. It was gray primer (like mine) and all the chrome was replaced. Car was gorgeous. He let it sit for 3 years and it all messed up, and now hes got the new one.