97 Neon transmission problem

Ok, the other day I had to replace my reverse switch to get the reverse lights to work. I had changed the bulbs twice aswell, yesterday I noticed my reverse lights no longer turn on when I'm in reverse. I noticed that the reverse lights flash quickly when I move the shifter from reverse to drive, so I figure if the lights flash it's not the bulbs or the switch but the tranny that needs some sort of adjustment , some how the tranny isn't getting to the switch or turning it on which is why the lights arn't coming on, if anyone have any ideas that could help me on this problem would be great thanks.


~Mic

Depending on specifically which parts came on your car, it could be the position sensor on top of the tranny wearing out (new one costs $50 or less), or you might just need to make a minor adjustment to your shifter linkage... could have too much slack in it or too little... it would explain why your shifter is making contact with the reverse tabs briefly and then barely "skipping" past it...

My shifter does have alot of slack I feel it. When I put it in park it rolls alot tell it locks. Any suggestions on how to adjust the shifter linkage?

Do you have a manual or auto?

auto

This is just a guesstimate because I don't have an ATX in front of me, but I would suspect that on either side of your linkage (tranny or shifter) there should be a setscrew with a nut on the end of it... if you loosen the nuts, you should be able to slide the pin/end of the linkage either way in the brackets/levers, and tighten the nut back up where you want it to stay. I suspect there would also be a nut holding the shift lever onto the transmission itself (should run through the center of your MLP sensor)... if you loosen it, you should be able to slightly move the position of the lever without "shifting" the transmission. I know it's all vague but you might just have to inspect all that yourself and figure out which will move the best for you.

Any suggestions on how to adjust the shifter linkage?It's under the battery tray.
(should run through the center of your MLP sensor)What's the MLP sensor?

MLP/TRS - "Transmission Range Sensor" Sensor on an automatic that usually attaches at the end of the linkage, right on the transmission--when you move the shifter through the notches, the linkage moves an arm that rotates a peg in a sensor (usually externally mounted)... as the peg rotates, it makes contact with certain points to tell the computer what gear your in "P, R, N, D, 2," etc... a lot of times the reverse switch (for the lights) was built into them as well for safety. Anyway, if those points start to wear out, or the pin gets dirty or wears, or the linkage gets sloppy and/or loses position, the pin will briefly "bounce" around the points and make quirks happen while going through gears, especially like shift "searching" while in drive, or tailights flickering or not coming on at all when in reverse.

It's under the center console where the shifter is, I bought the Neon book it says to move the collar down towards the plastic or something like that, i'm gonna play with it monday and see what happens, thanks for the tips guys.

MLP/TRS - "Transmission Range Sensor" Sensor on an automatic that usually attaches at the end of the linkage, right on the transmission--when you move the shifter through the notches, the linkage moves an arm that rotates a peg in a sensor (usually externally mounted)Never seen nor heard of that on the 1st gen neon?!?!?

It's under the center console where the shifter is, I bought the Neon book it says to move the collar down towards the plastic or something like that, i'm gonna play with it monday and see what happens, thanks for the tips guys.You're right, I was thinking of the throttle linkage.