I got this 1969 1/2 2-door Maverick a year ago and the ambiant dash lights don't work. Niether do the reverse lights (on the back). Bulbs aren't a problem because I swapped them all out for new ones (both in the dash and in the trunk). All the other lights/switches work. It is a plain-jane stock Maverick, not even an antenna (no stock radio), and only five fuses. Fuses aren't the problem because I swapped all of those out. Any ideas? Do I just have to trace the lines to see if they are cut or what? Also, my transmission won't shift into first unless the car is stopped. It is a 3 in the tree. I adjusted the clutch, realigned the linkage, and checked the gear-box fluid. All are fine. Do I just need a new transmission or are there any other cheap fixes I could try? Sometimes it grinds going into second, and there is no rhyme or reason to when it does and doesn't. Thanks, Tim!
Sounds like a bad headlight switch and a bad synchronizer in the trans. Headlight switch is easy, but a bit of a pain. The trans, that has to come out and be taken apart to replace the synchronizers. Good luck!
How did you adjust the clutch and where does it engage in relation to the clutch pedal movement. It should start engaging when the pedal is about 2/3 of the way up. The back up lights is probably the switch. I dont think the 69.5 was different than the later Mavericks so the switch should be mounted on top of the steering column down near the floor. I agree with Earl on your dash lights. Probably the light switch.
I adjusted the clutch at the adjusting rod (two bolts, one is a locking nut), winding them towards the front of the car--I knew this was correct because I did it the other way first . It engages at approx. 2/3 of the way up...might be a little closer to half. So the ambient dash lights are combined with the headlights, and I should replace that assembly? Hmm...not looking forward to getting back there. And from your description, I'm guessing that the back-up lights have a switch similar to the brake lights up under the dash... is it like a flasher fuse or just a terminal that needs to be cleaned and fitted correctly? I'll get under there and take a look tonight. Thanks for the help! Tim!
Do you mean it is fully engauged at that point or just starting to drag?. Eaisest way I know of to tell if the clutch is dragging is to jack up both rear wheels, put the trans in neutral and spin the drive shaft by hand. Then have somebody hold the clutch in and put the trans in gear. Then spin the drive shaft by hand again and compare the 2. You should be able to tell if the clutch is fully disengaged. Any drag at all will cause the 2 problems you described.
You may have to pull the bulbs back out of the gauge cluster and clean the little copper contacts on each one. I couldn't get my dash lights to work until I did that.
