I do have a not as important problem with my reverse lights. 01 SL manual. The reverse lights do not turn on once I put my car into reverse. I do know that sometimes the shifter cannot just be put into the reverse and I need to hear/feel the click and push it further into the reverse gear before it actually connects.

 

I'd start checking fuses first ....

 

if not that then bulbs
if not then reverse switch mounted in top of trans ( not uncommon to fail-- seem to get about 8 yrs out of them)

 

This is my guess. I just replaced mine last week, it's about a 10 minute job.

To confirm:
Remove the top of the air filter box and the hose that goes to the carb to give you some room.

Find the reverse switch on top of the trans and unplug it.

Put the car in reverse with the key on but not running (parking brake on).

Then use a paper clip or short piece of wire to short between the two pins of the plug and the reverse lights should light up. If not, it's somewhere else (check fuses and bulbs, the fuse is one of the ones there in the engine compartment). If the lights go on this way but not when it's plugged in, it's probably the switch.

You did say that the car doesn't always go into reverse easily so there's a slight chance it's a transmission thing, but most likely it's the switch. It just unscrews and the new one will thread in to the correct depth automatically. I think the size was the same as an O2 sensor.

 

Thanks, I will check it out.