This is kinda strange. You know the indicator light on the dashboard that comes on when one of your bulbs is dead? Mine came on, so I checked my car's lights. The license plate bulbs were out, so I replaced them. The backup lights didn't work either, so I replaced them as well. Boom, they came on bright as can be.

Problem solved? Nope. I've checked every light I can think of, they all work fine. EXCEPT my backup lights don't always come on when I shift into Reverse. Only sometimes. Needless to say, a bad safety hazard, especially in the college parking lot which is (at the moment) so full that I don't have the option of simply parking far enough out that I don't have to reverse out of the spot.

Also, you know the gear indicator, or whatever-it's-called, on the dash that shows you what gear you're in? For some reason, whenever I press the brake pedal, the big orange "R" lights up as if I was in reverse, regardless of whether I am or not. The light indicating the gear I am actually in remains lit. Then when I release the brake pedal, the "R" dims again. Also, the "dead bulb indicator" on the dash doesn't light up _until_ I press my brake pedal for the first time after starting my car (though I don't know if that's relevant)

And my brake lights seem to be fine, too.

Does anyone have any idea what could be causing this, and how I might go about fixing it?

My guess is it's related to the park/neutral safety switch. I believe thats what turns on the backup lights and the PRNDL lights. It's on the transmission. To verify and for more details you can check your maintenance manual in the Factory Service Manuals thread at the top of the forum.

Could be loose, out of adjustment, connections may be loose or corroded, or could be time for a new one.

Here's what it looks like on a 96 at least: http://www.autozone.com/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/13/f4/46/0900823d8013f446/repairInfoPages.htm

RIP's probably right but for grins check the brake light switch for a sticking plunger and also check the switch for looseness. It may need adjustment.
Another cause may be a wiring short. The wires run along the left side into the trunk. Pull back the lining and check it out all the way to the bulb sockets.
The warning lights are triggered by resistance, so corrosion in the bulb sockets causes the warning light also.

I was finally able to get it checked out; RIP was right. Unfortunately, the part retails for $370 . . . but I have to get my car inspected in a month, so I don't have a choice. Besides, I hate backing out of a parking space knowing that my indicator lights aren't working. Thanks for the help!

That's a reasonable part to get used from a salvage yard...

If you can't find it at a local yard try calling these guys: http://www.taprecycling.net/ They've gotten me out of jams several times.