1973 Transmission Question

[Floyd B.]

The transmission on my 1973 has a switch that I cannot find referenced in the TIM&JG, Corvette Restoration Guide, 1973 Service Manual or 1973 Assembly Manual. It is a cylindrical switch (about 1” in diameter) on the left side of the tranny held in place with a bracket that in turn is held in place by the two cover plate bolts that secure the bottom-rear corner of the cover. The switch is connected to the shifter reverse lever by a bar. Electrically, the switch is connected to the wiring harness in the engine compartment by a thick red and green striped wire.

Obviously this is a reverse switch that turns on the reverse lights. Can anyone confirm this? Does it have any other purpose? Why is it not referenced in any of the documentation?

[Joe L.]

Re: 1973 Transmission Question

Floyd-----

You're correct. The switch that you describe IS a back-up lamp switch. However, the switch used for 1973 ONLY has 2 other functions. It's a neutral safety starting switch AND a seat belt warning switch. The latter function is unique to 1973.

The switch is GM #6273357 and it's GM-discontinued. However, I think that this switch is reproduced.

Why is it not referenced in any of the documentation you mentioned? For that, I have no idea.

[Tom P.]

Re: 1973 Transmission Question

Joe,
You're correct, this switch is reproduced, it's about $50. It was also used on other Chevys as well (early Chevelles).

[Dick W.]

Re: 1973 Transmission Question

Joe, the AIM's that we buy from various vendors are a mere shadow of the original ones. I had a complete '68 that came from GM in Warren that had many more pages than todays repro