my backup lights dont work and we think the problem is that when you put the car in reverse the switch never actually closes the circuit. we checked the lights for power while it was in reverse and there was none. where is this switch??
thanks
Brad

The switch is located up on the side of the tranny. Not sure if it is the left or right, but follow the wires.

Have you downloaded your ETM (http://wedophones.com/BMWManualsLead.htm) yet? There is on online Online also (http://www.stormpages.com/countchocula1/bmw/etm002.htm)

You've got the 5 speed, right? It's on the left side of the manual transmission. Just look in the Upper Rt corner of the ETM for the page listing the component location:

http://www.stormpages.com/countchocula1/bmw/bmwetm145.jpg

Page 201:
http://www.stormpages.com/countchocula1/bmw/bmwetm201.jpg

I just changed mine. It was really easy. Just put the car up in the front on the passenger side. I used a 3/4 combo wrench (18mm for metric??) First check to see if both leads are connected to the switch. There isnt much for them to fail, but if the wires arent connected, then that could be a 5 min fix for free...

-Jeff

on mine the switch is on the right side above the fill hole. the 2 wires coming from the switch come through the rubber boot at the base of the shifter. you can check there for power.

Wouldn't be the first time the ETM was wrong. :)

85 and 86 had different trannys so the location could be different. Same concept so you just need to look for wires going to a switch mounted in the tranny case.

mine just went out too!