My '90 Carat with a manual transmission has reverse = lights that do not work. When I pull the connector off of the switch and = close the connection with a paper clip, they do work. Therefore, I = assumed the switch wasn't working. I tried a new switch, and that did not help = either. Even the original switch works fine on the bench with a meter. Therefore, while I was under the Van again last weekend, I = pulled off the housing that holds the reverse light switch, just to see what = was there. I saw that the bar that is connected to the shifter linkage = extends through to this housing. It rotates and moves in and out based on = what gear is selected. It has a little cam-shaped protrusion on one = side which I presume is to make contact with the plunger on the reverse light = switch. However, the little lobe is 180 degrees opposite of the reverse light = switch when reverse is selected! The D.P.O's paid $1000 for this rebuilt transmission (at a VW dealership) that will not shift into second when = cold -- I wonder if this lack of reverse lighting is another symptom of = "dealership quality" craftsmanship. Is there anything I can do, or do I = just wait until I win a lottery and can get the whole thing rebuilt = properly?