87 300E back up lights do not work.
 

Both back up lights do not work. Bulbs tested ok. Fuse should be good as listed as #16 and other acc on #16 work. Is there a switch on the shifter that could be bad(like the neutral safety switch?) Is it easy to fix and does anyone have a picture? thanks. Also occaisionally the bulb burnout warning comes on for a short time.

any ideas?

It probably is the neutral safety switch. With the key on but engine not running, Have someone watch the backup lights and put the shifter in reverse. While they watch the lights, S L O W L Y move the shifter to each side of reverse. See if the lights come on.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8067552439&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

it's a picture. not a good one though.
NSS will keep back up lights from coming on.
it's a tight fit in there.

search a thread for a member who removed his a cleaned it and it worked again.
these get really dirty

Neutral safety switch controls the back up lights
 

I did not know neutral safety switch controlled the back up lights. The switch was changed several years ago.

Access the switch from above or below?
 

Can I get to the switch from the inside of the car?

The NSS has 2 sets of contacts... 1 for the neutral or park and 1 for the backup lights.

Access from the bottom. It's located on the driver's side of the trans behind the shift linkage.

It would be best to test the switch with a meter before replacing. I had the same problem and it was just dirt and corrosion on the 4 prong plug.

I would test the neutral safety switch first, and if that's ok, I'd take a hard look at the light control module in the fuse box. I don't know the exact name for it, but it is the monitor that controls the light on the dash.