Z3 Roadster (E36/7) reverse light problem

ok, i have a 96 z that just recently started having a weird problem. For the last week/week and a half i noticed that the reverse lights stopped going on when i went into reverse (its an automatic by the way). Now the weird thing is i know they work because they go on when i go into neutral so there must be some sort of linkage/connection that is possibly loose. Does anybody know what this might be?

Well, the reverse light switch is screwed in the side of the transmission. It's pretty simple to check out and/or replace.

do you know where i can find instructions on how to do this? and would it fix the problem?

1. Jack and safely support the car.
2. Locate the switch on the right side of the transmission.
3. Slide the wire paper-clip-looking thing from the electrical connector. Don't loose it.
4. Remove the connector from switch.
5. Connect a test light to the reverse switch with the transmission not in reverse. If test light lights: bad switch. If light does not light: unknown.
6. Shift transmission to reverse.
7. If test light lights: everything OK. If test light does not light: bad switch.
8. As a check, jumper the two wires on the connector. Turn key to on, but not start. If brake lights on, the rest of the wiring is good.
9. Remove the jumper. If brake lights turn off: proper operation. If lights stay on: bad wiring.
10. Reinstall connector and clip.
11. Lower car.