back up lights (1988 4Runner)

Hey, I just drove 12 hours to purchase my "new" 1988 4Runner. I paid $2100 for it and it ran like a top on the way home. One problem that I knew about before I bought it was the fact that the back up lights don't come on when the vehicle is in reverse. What could be the cause of this? Any simple ideas to try? Worse case scenario what will this cost me?

Thanks.

anyone got any suggestions?

I had the same problem, but it was a gradual death. It was the gear position switch on the side of the transmission. Crawl under from the passenger side rear of the front tire, look at the transmission housing almost directly above the front drive "U" joint, there is a switch attached to the housing. The shifter lever is also attached to it. That switch is your problem. Installing it was a piece of cake but you need a helper to shift, and a wall or mirror to assist with seeing when the lights come on. It took about 6 tries to get the setting perfect.

Aloha.