capezig

I have been struggling with the back up lights on a 1996 C1500 Extended Cab. It started by blowing the back up light/turn signal fuse every time you put it in reverse. As a workaround, I unplugged the harness from the switch on the left side of the manual transmission to keep the turn signals operational. I have tried changing the switch, no go. If I plug a switch into the harness and manual push the ball in, the lights work, but not if plugged into a switch in place and transmission in reverse. I can now leave the harness plugged into a switch in place and the fuse does not blow. Could it be that whatever it is inside the transmission that pushes the ball in the switch is worn out after 206,000 miles? Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated.