Reverse back up lights not working

Discussion in 'Technical' started by Allen Small, Sep 11, 2010.

  1. Allen Small

    Allen Small Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2002
    Messages:
    530
    Likes Received:
    45
    Trophy Points:
    102
    Location:
    Cannonsburg, PA
    Vehicle:
    73 Grabber/V8 and 72 V/8 grabber
    Ok everybody, I need some help diagnosing why my reverse back up lights are not working. I have checked and changed the bulbs and they still do not work. I have also made sure the shift collar on the steering column is in the correct place (the car is a factory floor shift car). I have traced the wires to make sure they have good connection the best I can. I do not have a tester to make sure power is coming through to the end though. They use to work and I am not sure when they quit working. Is it possible the the reverse/neutral safety switch has gone bad? Is there a awy to test things with out a tester? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I need to get them working so it will pass inspection. Thanks for any help you can give me. (BTW I hate wiring/electrical issues!)

    Thanks
    Allen Small
     
    Allen Small, Sep 11, 2010
    #1
  2. ford84stepside

    ford84stepside Lone Wolf

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2004
    Messages:
    4,038
    Likes Received:
    16
    Trophy Points:
    132
    Location:
    Berry Alabama
    Vehicle:
    1947 Lincoln Zephyr Coupe
    Allen, make you a tester with a bulb and socket salvaged from something else. Hook one wire to a ground and the other to the hot going to the bulbs in back. If no juice there, check at the switch for juice coming in. If you have juice coming in, it's probably the switch or the wire has a break between the switch and the rear of the car. If no juice going to the switch, check your fuse box for a blown fuse or rusty connections. I think your switch is mounted on the transmission on a factory floor shift car. I would also check the plugs for a bad connection. Good luck!
     
    ford84stepside, Sep 11, 2010
    #2
  3. 71gold

    71gold Frank Cooper

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2002
    Messages:
    26,590
    Likes Received:
    2,938
    Trophy Points:
    978
    Garage:
    1
    Location:
    MACON,GA.
    Vehicle:
    '73 Grabber
    71gold, Sep 12, 2010
    #3
  4. Dave B

    Dave B I like Mavericks!

    Joined:
    Mar 9, 2002
    Messages:
    16,931
    Likes Received:
    215
    Trophy Points:
    347
    Location:
    Parts Unknown......
    Vehicle:
    3 Grabbers
    Did you do anything with the radio? The power is fed from the radio lights, to the reverse lights.
     
    Dave B, Sep 12, 2010
    #4
  5. Allen Small

    Allen Small Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2002
    Messages:
    530
    Likes Received:
    45
    Trophy Points:
    102
    Location:
    Cannonsburg, PA
    Vehicle:
    73 Grabber/V8 and 72 V/8 grabber
    reverse lights

    Frank,

    The car does start in park and neutral, and the switch has not been touched, so I would guess the switch is not the issue unless the wire just worked loose which I do not think it has.

    Dave,

    We did take the dash out to change out the hearter core, so we could have done something there possibly,good suggestion! I willl go out and check everything to make sure we did not forget to hook something back up under the dash.

    Ford84stepside,

    Thanks for the idea of the home made tester. I will try it.

    Thanks for all the suggestions guys!! I will keep you posted on what I find out.

    Thanks
    Allen Small
     
    Allen Small, Sep 12, 2010
    #5

Share This Page