'70 Reverse Light Radio Bypass

Is there a way to get power to the reverse lights without the radio installed? Mine was ruined and no power was getting to them even before I took the radio out.

 

Radio should have nothing to do with the reverse lights.

 

Possibly fed by same fuse??

Even if that's the case tossing radio should make no difference, all backup lights require is switched power. Well and a backup light switch.

 

I was led to believe that power must pass through the radio light to get to the reverse lights, like on the diagram.

 

That can't be the circuit wiring diagram shows.. And don't believe everything you read, especially on the net.

The radio lamp operates from the dash light circuit. Wire the backup lights to that and you can dim them(at least till the dimmer rheostat burns up, which would be in a minute or two). You could use the radio power to operate the lights.

 

Ok nevermind, I figured it out. Figures i should have just looked at the fuse box.

 

Our reverse lights do not work as well. What was your problem? Blown fuse?

 

The fuse isnt blown but the tabs for the fuse were rusted pretty bad.

 

Meaning the cowl is likely leaking..

 

previous owner hadnt stopped the leak and it was coming straight in. I sealed it back up a while back.