John,
I'm still working on finding the cause of my troubles when shifting into reverse with either the parking lights or headlights on. You said to unplug the console connector in one of the steps last week. If I take off the top of my console, would that be the connector with orange wire to it?
Didn't get under the car this weekend to look for transmission switch wiring either but will keep you posted.
With the ignition and lights on I can turn my steering column by hand and if I move it 1/4 of an inch in the clockwise direction, the dash lights and gauges do their thing. Exterior lights all function properly including back up lights. If I continue to spin the column by hand another 1/2 inch or so the gauges and lights all go back to normal and the 4 spd shifter starts coming back out of reverse. In other words, I can shift the car out of reverse by spinning the column.
Wanted to make sure I had the console connector and will get under there and find any wiring for the transmission. Will then set e-brake, disconnect reverse lights, console connector, transmission wiring, clutch safety switch hazard can and turn signal can and let you know.

Scott

There should be a connector under the dash for the console wiring. I think it is near the steering column. Was hoping maybe Elree or someone else could point it out to you.
I do understand what you are seeing. My problem is that I don't know exactly what is happening and can't tell if the problem is on the column or the shifter.
There's no particular order in unplugging things. Use whatever order is the easiest. The thought I have is to unplug all sources of power to both the column and the shifter without disturbing the wiring. Hoping that by finding out what makes the gages stop jumping, we can get a better idea of what's going on.

Here's the original post from last week for anyone else reading this. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/Forum22/HTML/001998.html

Tried unplugging everything mentioned with no changes except now it seems my gas gauge is stuck beyond full but that may not be related to the dash problems.(I may have messed something up with the sending unit when I removed andpainted it)
I even unplugged things under that dash that I didn't know what they were with no changes. Unplugged the harness with 8 or 9 wires coming down from the steering wheel that mounts on the column but no changes.

I even put the car in neutral and spun the column with my hands and it still does it. I didn't find any wiring or connectors that go to the transmission but that doesn't mean they're not there. Any other thoughts?

Scott

Well, hope you know where everything goes. Anyway, still don't see it. You unplugged the turn signal switch connector. That's the only thing that brings power up into the column. I'm assuming that there are no wires on the neutral safety/back-up switch. That's the horse shoe shaped switch on the lower top of the column we started with. I'm assuming that you don't have anything like a cruise control. There's nothing else up there but the lights still flicker and the gage dance.
*Scratches head*
Perhaps separate the column shifter from the floor shifter. At least that will tell which one is causing the problem. Under the hood, near the brake booster, there's a rod coming up into the steering column. It should have a clip or cotter pin holding it into the column shifter. Try removing the rod from the column and then try moving the column again. See if the dancing gages occurs with moving the column or moving the shifter.

I must not have unplugged the turn signal connector afterall, I thought you meant the turn signal can. Where would I find the turn signal connector and by disconnecting this I should have no power in the column such as horn and ignition?

I do not have cruise control or anything extra like that but will disconnect the linkage as instructed. I saw where that is as I made the wife shift it in and out of reverse last night while I laid under the car! She had her chance to collect on the life insurance and blew it!
Try not to get frustrated with me as I keep trying your suggestions. When you throw your hands in the air is when I'll just take it somewhere to get looked at. Just thought maybe I'd learn some things trying to fix it myself with some guidance.

Scott

"Unplugged the harness with 8 or 9 wires coming down from the steering wheel that mounts on the column but no changes."
"I must not have unplugged the turn signal connector afterall, I thought you meant the turn signal can. Where would I find the turn signal connector and by disconnecting this I should have no power in the column such as horn and ignition?"

Actually I did suggest to remove the turn signal can and hazard can. Both of these send 12 volts up the column. What I was trying to see was if either one of the cans made a difference without disturbing the turn signal harness. I assumed that you already unplug the turn signal connector when you "Unplugged the harness with 8 or 9 wires coming down from the steering wheel".
While the ignition switch is mounted on the column, moving the shifter shouldn't affect it.

"I saw where that is as I made the wife shift it in and out of reverse last night while I laid under the car! She had her chance to collect on the life insurance and blew it!"

No need to crawl under the car. The linkage rod is under the hood near the brake booster. How much life insurance do you carry? A million doesn't go too far these days. Think about raising it up and have your wife email me. Think the problem may be by the fan blade. (just joking)

"Try not to get frustrated with me as I keep trying your suggestions."

Not frustrated. I was only scratching my head.