I have a 1998 Dodge Dakota, 98xxx miles that I am trying to add a backup camera to. When I go to reverse, there is a brief backup light, and then it goes off. By moving the shift lever I can turn the backup light on, but it doesn't stay on in the "R" ident. Reverse/Neutral switch? If so, I was under the truck this morning, and can't seem to locate the switch. Pictures attached. I see several switches, but none match what some of the online repair posts are showing for this year and model. The model number for the switch pulled by VIN is Mopar 56028181 - Switch-Neutral, Safety, Back Up

Thoughts?









Truck Details.
1998 Dodge DakotaVIN: 1B7GL22X6WS543264
6 Cyl 3.9L SMPI; 4-Speed Automatic Transmission 42RE; Club Cab 2WD

 

One more note. If this is the correct solution, and switch, the part pulled up on a Mopar site using the VIN shows not to work when cross referenced to Amazon..

 

It's the switch right below where the shift linkage hits the trans.

Hhhmmm.... The Mopar parts site shows that as the correct number. Why Amazon disagrees is a mystery to me.

 

Thanks. That is what I thought, but even one of the Mopar sites disagrees like Amazon.

Now back to the question, the backup lights work, but only of the shift lever touches the right place. Could it be the switch?

Rory

 

Might be the switch, might just need to adjust the linkage. There are bushings in there that tend to wear out, and things get sloppy.

If you have another warm body, set your parking brake, chock the wheels, turn the ignition on, (engine NOT running) disconnect the shift linkage at the trans, and put it in neutral by hand. See what the lites do. Wiggle the arm a little bit, see what the lights do. If the lites are really flaky, probably a switch on its way out.

 

Amazon does that a lot. Half the stuff I've bought there for my truck came up as not compatible when I knew it was.

 

Thanks. I'll give this a shot today.

 

Going underneath the truck today to check this out. The linkage - how does it connect to the shift arm? It looks like a ball joint/snap on type of link. Also, is the shift cable adjustable?