Push Button Shifter Light.

[Ratroaster]

This question is for all the early B-body owners. I'm having trouble getting the
small light that illuminates the shift buttons to work on the '63. I'm pretty sure that my issue
is grounding. I have continuity to the unit and the heater button light is working
( it's off the same orange wire ). I think I'm losing ground where the shift mechanism
fastens to the dash itself and the culprits are the 3 little rubber grommets that are
part of the factory designed fasteners. Does anybody know how the factory solved
grounding the shifter mechanism, or is it not supposed to be grounded for some reason?
Is there some little part or strap that I'm missing that would solve this problem.
I've looked through the FSM and can find no indication that I'm missing anything,
but still...........

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks, RR

 

[dvw]

Run a ground jumper wire, done.
Doug

 

[Ratroaster]

Run a ground jumper wire, done.
Doug

Doug,
I've considered the jumper as a final solution. I keep wondering though how the factory
got around the problem. I wonder if it's possible that when the both shift cables are
hooked up correctly and functioning if they become the ground? Kind of a WAG but
the light had to be grounded somehow. Thanks for the advice. RR

 

[dvw]

My shifter has been moved to right side and is bolted solid with no rubber so the lights work fine.
Doug

View attachment 528249

 

[Ratroaster]

My shifter has been moved to right side and is bolted solid with no rubber so the lights work fine.
Doug

View attachment 528247 View attachment 528249 View attachment 528250

Nice touch putting it on the right side.

 

[dvw]

I don't mind it on the left, but the cage goes through the dash and was in the way. The bezel was a little tricky but the rest was easy. As long as i was at it figured there had to be a way to swap D/1 buttons as well. Cut the faces off and glued them in the swapped locations. Still light up fine.
Doug