The manual transmission used on a 1992 Toyota Camry relies on a simple switch to operate the backup -- or reverse -- lights. The switch is located at the top of the transmission housing and uses a normally open electrical circuit, meaning the circuit remains incomplete until the switch is activated to complete the circuit. While the backup light switch is fairly robust and can provide years of reliable service, wear and tear will eventually render it useless. A failed backup light switch will display itself as a complete loss of the backup lights regardless of the condition of the light bulbs.
Park the Camry on a level work surface and let it cool for a minimum of 30 minutes.
Open the hood and support it in a fully raised position using the hood prop rod. Look at the top of the transmission housing along the right side of the engine for a two-wire electrical connector located behind the starter motor. This is the backup light switch.
Loosen the clamps attaching the air box duct to the engine intake manifold using a screwdriver. Remove the air box lid clips by hand, then pull the lid off of the lower half of the air box. Pull the air duct and air box lid off of the intake manifold. Unplug the intake air temperature sensor connector.
Pull the air cleaner element out of the lower half of the air box. Remove the bolts from the bottom of the air box using a ratchet, then lift the air box out of the engine compartment
Unplug the backup light switch connector. Unscrew the switch from the transmission housing using a crow's foot wrench and a socket extension attached to your ratchet.
Screw the new backup light switch into the transmission housing by hand. Tighten the switch to 33 foot-pounds using a torque wrench. Plug the connector into the end of the switch.
Re-install the air box, air cleaner element, air duct and air box lid. Tighten the air duct clamp and plug in the IAT sensor connector. Close the hood.
Have an assistant stand behind the Camry. Turn the ignition switch to the "On" position and shift into reverse. Shift back into neutral and turn off the ignition, if the back up lights illuminate. Otherwise, check that the backup light switch connector is plugged firmly into the switch and that the backup light bulbs are in working condition.
