Reverse Lights Always on

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Jan 4, 2008 | 05:41 PM

#21

AZ78Vette

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Quote:

Originally Posted by another-user

ive got the exact opposite problem, mine reverse lights never come on and i would like to get them working finally. they never worked for my dad almost 30 years ago, and he put a new switch in, and they still didnt work.

is there an inline fuse some place that could be blown? another connection some where up the line that could be bad? its a 69 with a 4 speed.

if you have a wiring diagram you could see if there was a fuse or another connection, my guess is that all the tail light are on the same fuse.

Jan 4, 2008 | 05:51 PM

#22

another-user

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i do have one, but its in black and white and i can barely make heads or tails of it.

Jan 4, 2008 | 07:20 PM

#23

65GGvert

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From: Kannapolis NC

The back up lamps are not on the same circuit as the tail lamps. I can't get to my owner's manual right now to tell you the fuse number for the b/u lamps, but it is possibly the wires on the switch or the switch itself. It could also be missing or not connected. Everything I told the OP applies to you for testing too. I'd measure for 12 volts with the ignition switch on to the b/u switch on the transmission. One of the two wires should have 12 volts on it, and both should have 12 volts when in reverse. It could be disconnected under the hood at the plug I discussed earlier too. Find the plug near the master cylinder, measure for 12 v on one wire with the ignition switch on. If it's not there check the source and the fuse, if it is there, go to the switch on the transmission.
PS if you short the two wires together in that connector to the car side (not the side going down to the transmission) with ignition on the b/u lights should come on. One other possibility, on my 78, both reverse lamp sockets at the bulbs had corroded grounds in the sockets.

Last edited by 65GGvert; Jan 4, 2008 at 07:24 PM.

Jan 4, 2008 | 07:26 PM

#24

another-user

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i hope to be getting my car in the garage and up on ramps in the next few weeks, so ill check out all of that then.

Jan 4, 2008 | 07:33 PM

#25

65GGvert

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From: Kannapolis NC

OK anotheruser, I had to go look. On mine the fuse is marked "directional signals and backup lamps". So if the turn signals work, it's not the fuse. It's most likely the switch missing, misadjusted, disconnected or defective

Jan 4, 2008 | 09:36 PM

#26

69Vett

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From: Austin Texas

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reverse light problems !

on the 69 the power for the reverse lights comes from;
the small white wire connected to the Turn signal flasher.
Their should be 2 white wires on the flasher,
a fat one supplies power to Reverse and turn signal flasher with key on.
skinny 16GA. wire supplies reverse lamp power, it then goes out to the switch, and back from switch to the reverse lights,
remember the light housing must be grounded to work !

good Luck !! 69 Vett