Gene,

It's important to specify which transmission you have. The automatics have their back-up light switches at the shifter console. Whereas, the manual trans have their switches at the nose come area. Jostling a loose wire can cause such a problem. A defective switch or bulb can similarly give those symptoms.

BenT
sent from my electronic leash

> On Oct 29, 2013, at 11:26 PM, Gene P <olgreywoof@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> 
> Question: how can motion extinguish the back-up lights?
> Symptom:
> 1. engine off (ignition on), gear in reverse - lights work
> 2. engine on, gear in reverse - lights work
> 3. begin to back up, within 10 feet (2 or 3 seconds) lights go out
> 
> I've gone through these variations many times and it does this every
> time.  Since everything works while my head is in the engine bay, what
> can I check?
> 
> Thanks,
> GeneP