Papabear2

I have a 2001 Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.0 engine. I believe has a 42re trans (ie 4 speed auto). At night while in DRIVE, backup lights come on randomly or just stay on. I cannot find a backup light switch if there is one to see if there is a short. Someone said it is on the top or inside of the transmission. Can someone help? Could the problem be elsewhere. It obviously is connected to the shifter when put in drive somehow. I don't believe it has the side neutral safety switch that is shown in so many pictures. HELP!

dave1123

The neutral safety switch also controls the reverse lights. It's a screwed in plug switch just above the pan gasket near the shift cable entry. It has a plunger that rides on the internal shift quadrant. It's probably the switch because the plunger doesn't travel very much and a little wear on it could cause a malfunction.

Papabear2

Thanks for the info. This is great news!!!

Papabear2

As stated previously, reverse light flicker mostly on while IN DRIVE. If reverse lights are run thru neutral safety switch and this is where problem is, wouldn't I be noticing problem also with trying to start vehicle in park/neutral at same time. Are there two mechanisms that control this reaction, where neutral safety switch is working properly but some other switch related to shifter is weak causing reverse lights to come on at night while in drive. If I put it in neutral the reverse lights turn off, but immediately back on when put in drive???

dave1123

Do you see three pins on that switch? One is power, one is starter circuit, the third is reverse lights. There is no switch on the linkage. Are you saying they don't come on in the daytime?

Karen Bosler

is it possible to have this switch in backwards my jeep won't start consistently after
Replacing this part