No Reverse Lights
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 209
Likes: 21
From: Iowa
No Reverse Lights
I've got a strange issue on my '82. All the lights work except the two reverse lights. I have shorted the circuit between the purple and green(?) wires at the shifter, without any luck. I have a ground wire connected to the frame on both sides at the back behind the bumper, so I am thinking that's not an issue. What else can I check? I'd really like to be able to see when I back up!
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 221
Likes: 13
From: Central Virginia
Check fuse.
Verify the bulb sockets with a multimeter set on DC voltage.
No voltage then I would check at the reverse switch.
Voltage? then I would check connections going back to the reverse light bulbs.
No voltage at the reverse light switch then I would check the connections going to the switch.
Verify the bulb sockets with a multimeter set on DC voltage.
No voltage then I would check at the reverse switch.
Voltage? then I would check connections going back to the reverse light bulbs.
No voltage at the reverse light switch then I would check the connections going to the switch.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 960
Likes: 449
From: Dutchess county New York
manual or auto ?
I've got a strange issue on my '82. All the lights work except the two reverse lights. I have shorted the circuit between the purple and green(?) wires at the shifter, without any luck. I have a ground wire connected to the frame on both sides at the back behind the bumper, so I am thinking that's not an issue. What else can I check? I'd really like to be able to see when I back up!
Use a meter to see if you have 12v at one or both lights before you go nuts.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 145
Likes: 6
From: Roswell, Georgia
I just went through this experience with my '71 and discovered that the reverse-light sockets weren't seated correctly, so the bulb was never "bottoming-out" to close the circuit. I would start by checking for voltage with a multi-meter (while shorting out the switch). If you're getting voltage, then it's a matter of the socket/bulb both seating correctly.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 209
Likes: 21
From: Iowa
Great suggestions guys. I'll do some testing and report back with what I find. To be honest, I haven't checked the bulbs. Common sense tells me both can't be bad, but then again, Occam's razor may be in effect!
Racer
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 250
Likes: 29
When i bought my 1980 i had the same issue. After troubleshooting, it turned out to be a connector that was loose at the firewall above the bellhousing. The connector on it goes to the shifter (4 speed) reverse switch.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 209
Likes: 21
From: Iowa
Do you have the turbo 350? Are you saying this connector routes through the engine firewall and under the car to the back? I don't have anything plugged into my transmission. On the shifter inside the car there are four or five wires coming from the shift selector switch. I know the neutral safety switch part of it functions properly.