backup lights on 24/7
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada
backup lights on 24/7
Recently discovered that my backup lights are always on. (previous owner had pulled bulbs for just that reason I'm guessing).
Is this most likely a bad switch at the tranny? :confused:
Is this most likely a bad switch at the tranny? :confused:
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 11,485
Likes: 1
From: Far side of the Moon
CI 4-5-6-7-8 Veteran
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-16-'17
Re: backup lights on 24/7 (Roger76)
The switch would be my first guess. Either a bad switch or grossly mis-adjusted.
If it is an automatic the switch is at the base of the gearshift lever. A stick is beyond my "automatic" knowledge base.
Now that I am thinking about it, I don't remember if the backup lights only come on when the key is on or not. I'll check this out once it stops raining and post a reply.
If the backup lights are only supposed to be on when the key is on and your lights are on regardless, there might be a bigger problem. But let me check mine before I start clouding the issue with speculation. :crazy:
Stay tuned....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 896
Likes: 0
From: Lafayette, Indiana
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
Re: backup lights on 24/7 (Roger76)
I have a similar problem....except mine is just the opposite. Mine never come on at all. Actually, the two inside back lights dont come on. Aren't all four red light supposed to light up when you brake in a '77?
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,484
Likes: 0
From: Northampton Ma
Re: backup lights on 24/7 (jonny4523)
I have the same problem. They stay on only when the car is on though, I guess you're not supposed to have them on while driving, so for a quick fix I snipped the wire. I was told I need a new switch, but I can't find one anywhere, by the way my tranny is a manual. Does anyone know where I can get one of these switches?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 11,485
Likes: 1
From: Far side of the Moon
CI 4-5-6-7-8 Veteran
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-16-'17
Re: backup lights on 24/7 (Roger76)
I just went and checked (my 73) and the backup lights are lite only when the key is in the on position. They are off if the key is off.
If yours are on 24x7 regardless of the key position, you might want to look farther than the switch. I'd start with checking the switch, but there may be another problem.
I hope the previous owner didn't do a bubba on ya. :eek:
For those whom are looking for the switch in parts catalogs, it might be labeled as a neutral safety switch. The neutral safety and backup lights are in the same (single) switch. That's for automatics anyway... :yesnod:
For a manual tranny, I think it is a separate switch. We'll have to let a manual tranny person speak for this though. :confused:
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada
Re: backup lights on 24/7 (Roger76)
Just for clarification: They are on only when the ignition is in the "on" position and regardless of the gear my (manual) transmission is in.
Thanks for the replies!
Roger :cheers:
Thanks for the replies!
Roger :cheers:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 0
From: Milford NH
Re: backup lights on 24/7 (Ryan77)
Manual transmissions should have a switch in the steering column. The "switch" allows you to only turn the car off if it is in reverse. I had to replace mine on my 69 in order to pass a NH inspection! Check some of glossy catalogs.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 42,487
Likes: 47
SPARTAN
CI 3-4-5-6-8-9-10 Vet
CI-9 AutoX Winner
CI-3 Go Kart Champ
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11
Re: backup lights on 24/7 (Roger76)
Sounds like either a bad switch or a short somewhere. If you look at the trans, the switch should be pretty evident. There's a small rod connected to the reverse lever that engages the switch. You might jkust need to adjust it, or replace the switch, or maybe the wiring going to the switch is bad.
There should (I think) be a connector for the wires soemplace under the hood, along the firewall. I think one of the wires is pink or green and the connector is sorta L shaped (or is it? Going from memory here, sorry). If you can find that connector, unplug it and the lights should go off. Do you have a manual with an electrical diagram? That would be a big help here.
If the light does go off with that connector disconnected, the problem is toward the tranny, either the switch is just mis-adjusted (hope so) or bad, or like I said, the wiring is bad. The switches aren't cheap. $45 or something in that neighborhood. Most all of the major parts sources should have them.
Good luck!
Dave
There should (I think) be a connector for the wires soemplace under the hood, along the firewall. I think one of the wires is pink or green and the connector is sorta L shaped (or is it? Going from memory here, sorry). If you can find that connector, unplug it and the lights should go off. Do you have a manual with an electrical diagram? That would be a big help here.
If the light does go off with that connector disconnected, the problem is toward the tranny, either the switch is just mis-adjusted (hope so) or bad, or like I said, the wiring is bad. The switches aren't cheap. $45 or something in that neighborhood. Most all of the major parts sources should have them.
Good luck!
Dave
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, BC
Re: backup lights on 24/7 (Roger76)
i had the exact same problem. the mechanic had pulled the transmission to fix a leak and when i got the car back, the reverse lights were on 24/7. they told me i needed a new switch. i figured that was too big of a coincidence so i took a look and started tinkering with it myself. i tried putting the switch in facing the opposite direction and it totally fixed the problem. my mechanic says that it's in backwards now, but hey, it's working fine now. is that considered a bubba?
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,453
Likes: 2
From: Toronto
Re: backup lights on 24/7 (jonny4523)
I have a similar problem....except mine is just the opposite. Mine never come on at all. Actually, the two inside back lights dont come on. Aren't all four red light supposed to light up when you brake in a '77?
Racer
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 446
Likes: 62
From: Sugar Land Texas
Re: backup lights on 24/7 (Roger76)
At the risk of being redundent, my 75 had a switch, mounted to a bracket that bolted onto the manual transmission, with linkage connected between the reverse lever arm and the switch. I suspect your linkage arm, about 1/8" diameter and 2 1/2" long has either disconnected or the switch is broke.
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 5
From: Sacramento California
Re: backup lights on 24/7 (Roger76)
No help or solution, just a comment. In my youth, when someone cruising wanted to race, you would run with your backup lights on. This created lots of “Bubba” engineering to install a toggle switch to the backup lights and mangled switches. Maybe your car belonged to a wannabe racer? :nono:
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: backup lights on 24/7 (GWHITE75)
My '80 has the switch mounted to the tranny.. Actually it was tied to the frame with some wire when I got the car. I found out they didn't work when trying to backup in a dark driveway. How it ever passed inspection I'll never know.. it was done by the dealer before I picked up the car.. humm... The connector for the switch was against the firewall. I used a jumper wire in the connector to test the lights first.. then I plugged in the switch and that worked.. Since yours is staying ON I would guess that either the switch is bad or the arm that controls the switch fell off or broke off the switch. If your switch "looks" good then just unplug it. If your lites still stay on you'll need the BUBBA manual or you have a short in your wires.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 0
From: Milford NH
Re: backup lights on 24/7 (Roger76)
Here is an image from ZIP products. The switch is pictured along with the cable that runs up to the transmission lock.
[Modified by 69stingray, 5:48 PM 7/10/2002]
[Modified by 69stingray, 5:48 PM 7/10/2002]
