244 back up lights

I have a 1984 244 - standard transmission. Sometime last fall or winter,
the back-up lights stopped working. Obviously I checked the bulbs and
fuse -- they are all fine. A week or two ago I went under, found the
contacts on the transmission (farther back on tranny, near the top on the
left) where the sensor/switch attaches (2 wires), and found that the
insulation had rotted off the wires over the last couple inches. I cleaned
them off and re-insulated them, plugged them back in, but still no back-up
lights.
Is it possible I hooked them up backwards ? - I didn't think it should
matter. Any other id eas?

Thanks for your help.

Patrick Fletcher

 

The circuit is pretty simple: ignition switch - fuse - switch - lights,
no relays etc. There are junctions to and from the transmission harness
as well though. See if you're getting power to one of the wires on the
switch. If you are, try shorting those 2 wires together. If the lights
now work, the switch is not working. In all other cases you need to
trace wiring problems.