Volkswagen: 1970 vw bug stalling when putting into reverse, vw bug, pickup coil

Question
My beloved bug Prudence is having issues again. I believe I contacted you about her earlier. I've rebuilt the carburetor and replace 95% of the parts in the distributor (points, pickup coil, rotor, cap), and a couple things here and there but I've stumbled onto another problemo. First let me tell you I've been driving the car regularly for the past couple months or so, and haven't had this problem before. So here we go, I drove the car to work this morning ...no problem...i drove it home and back to work for lunch...no problem....i drive it back home pick up my fiance and still no problem. I drive to the mall and no problem but I go to leave the mall and Houston, we have a problem. I start the car and put it into reverse and she automatically dies. So I thought maybe I need to let her warm up so I give her three or four minutes to warm up and try it again, and the second I have it in reverse, she dies again. So reluctantly my fiance and I push Prudence back and start her again expecting problems getting her to go. No problem with Prudence going forward 1st-4th work perfect but then I got home to see if maybe I was doing something wrong and tried to go in reverse again, and it dies again. I don't want to worsen the problem so I'm going to stop driving it for now and revert back to my gas guzzling suv! Hopefully the tranny isn't going out... (what i fear is wrong with her) and hopefully it's something simple to fix...if you could help me figure what is wrong with her I will name my first born after you!!! Please I love Prudence to death and would hate for her to sit in my driveway for very long! Thank you so much!

Answer
Azaria,
 It is likely a short in the backup light circuit.  There is a wire on the positive side of the distributor that goes to a fuse located right in the engine compartment.  Disconnect it, put some tape around it, and see if this fixes your problem.  If so, you may need a new switch at the transmission.  

Rick