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Reverse light problem

Old Oct 5, 2013 | 08:21 PM
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Default Reverse light problem

So I was driving home tonight and I got pulled over. Officer asks me if I know why he pulled me over, I say no. He says your driving down the road with your reverse lights on. I say ok there must be something wrong. Offer to get out and take a look at it, he tells me to stay in car it can be fixed later.
He issues me a citation explaining to me it is illegal for the white lights to be on unless I am in reverse. I get home shut the car off lights on, go to back of car all lights are lit. Go back to car put in reverse and the white inner lights are now visibly brighter. The car is currently inspected and is in perfect operating order. It is a 75 The first picture has just the lights on (headlights) The second picture is the same condition except now the car is in reverse. Can somebody please tell me what is correct.
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Old Oct 5, 2013 | 09:40 PM
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I could only guess that the reverse-light-switch was "stuck-on" when you got pulled over...the switch might be set too close causing the lights to intermittently stay on...... OR the actuator button on the switch is sticking at times. I just had to adjust the Nuetral/backup switch on my '68---(the engine wouldn't start/no backup lights intermittently). On the '68 the switch(es) are under the shift lever.
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Old Oct 5, 2013 | 09:47 PM
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Originally Posted by doorgunner
I could only guess that the reverse-light-switch was "stuck-on" when you got pulled over...the switch might be set too close causing the lights to intermittently stay on...... OR the actuator button on the switch is sticking at times. I just had to adjust the Nuetral/backup switch on my '68---(the engine wouldn't start/no backup lights intermittently). On the '68 the switch(es) are under the shift lever.
Thanks Doorgunner, I hear what your saying, he claims that you can't have any white lights on at all except when in reverse. I checked the switch and all seems to be in good order. When my regular lights are on the two tail lights closest to the license plate are on and white/clear, when I put the car in reverse the get much brighter. I assume this is correct.
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Old Oct 5, 2013 | 09:49 PM
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If you have an auto trans the neutral safety switch also turns on the reverse lights.
If you have a stick the back up light switch is next to the transmission under the car.
You might check there first.
http://www.vetteprojects.com/bmv/mis...tte%201975.pdf
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Old Oct 5, 2013 | 09:49 PM
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Originally Posted by doorgunner
I could only guess that the reverse-light-switch was "stuck-on" when you got pulled over...the switch might be set too close causing the lights to intermittently stay on...... OR the actuator button on the switch is sticking at times. I just had to adjust the Nuetral/backup switch on my '68---(the engine wouldn't start/no backup lights intermittently). On the '68 the switch(es) are under the shift lever.
like dorgunner said I believe on the '75 the back-up light switch on the 4 speed is on the left side of the transmission by the shift linkage, loosen the bolts and twist to adjust if i remember correctly
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Old Oct 5, 2013 | 09:52 PM
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I suspect that the bulbs you have in those inner lights is the wrong bulb OR it is installed 180* off from how it should be installed.

Only RED lights should be ON in back, unless car is in reverse. As mentioned, it could also be a bad adjustment on the neutral start switch (for automatic tranny car). The backup light switch is part of that NSS assembly.
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Old Oct 5, 2013 | 10:21 PM
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I can not believe that he gave you a ticket, he must of known that it was a problem with the adjustment and knowingly running it that way! Must of been a Mustang lover!
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Old Oct 5, 2013 | 10:55 PM
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I agree with 7t1, the inner lights should not be lit at all unless in reverse. The red part of the inner lights is only a reflector.
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Old Oct 6, 2013 | 09:55 AM
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Check your bulbs for correct ones used.

Last edited by mikejpss; Oct 6, 2013 at 09:58 AM.
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Old Oct 6, 2013 | 10:39 AM
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Originally Posted by '75
I agree with 7t1, the inner lights should not be lit at all unless in reverse. The red part of the inner lights is only a reflector.
Yep. For stock, only the outers light up (lights or brakes). Inners are reverse only.

I agree with the officer. I've been behind cars at night with the reverse lights on. They do tend to blind you a bit.

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