the switches fail.  Sometimes it is just the connection to the switch that are bad.

around 5 - 8 bucks for new switch and it is an easy access repair, you get to lie down for a while :)

alistair

On 2013-09-27, at 8:01 AM, Jim Felder wrote:

> Neither of the backup lights on my 83 five-speed 2wd is working. I had a
> chance to pull the bulb out of the drivers side tail light and it tested
> good.
> 
> Do these switches ever fail? I will get a chance sunday to check out the
> wiring, but worrying in advance about a thing I have never even thought
> about before, which is how the backup light switch works.
> 
> Jim