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Wrong Backup Light Switch?

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Old Jun 18, 2024 | 10:55 AM
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Default Wrong Backup Light Switch?

My back up lights/middle two tail lights do not light up. The fuse is intact, the turn signals work, so next I traced the wires back to the transmission. From what I can see the green and pink wires are connected to this, “backup safety switch”, (First picture). I assume somehow the previous owner installed the wrong switch. Can anyone confirm that the first picture, which I found on O’Reilly’s site, is the wrong switch. Do I need to purchase the switch in the second picture? 1978 Corvette with four speed manual.



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Old Jun 18, 2024 | 11:03 AM
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. The second switch is for the backup lights and bolts onto the case and has a rod connecting to the reverse lever.
Are you sure the wires run to the first switch?
Correction to above only for the L82, L48 uses first switch

Last edited by MelWff; Jun 18, 2024 at 11:18 AM.
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Old Jun 18, 2024 | 11:10 AM
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Yeah, I don’t have the second switch anywhere on the transmission.
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Old Jun 18, 2024 | 11:17 AM
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Originally Posted by Punkchachi
Yeah, I don’t have the second switch anywhere on the transmission.
If you have the L48 engine, the first switch is correct
https://www.topflightautomotive.com/...waAsPQEALw_wcB
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Old Jun 18, 2024 | 11:25 AM
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It did originally did have the L48 in it but at some point the previous owner put a 400sbc in it. Think I should replace with the same type switch that is in it or mount the other one onto it? Not sure if a different engine would affect it working or not.
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Old Jun 18, 2024 | 11:39 AM
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Originally Posted by Punkchachi
It did originally did have the L48 in it but at some point the previous owner put a 400sbc in it. Think I should replace with the same type switch that is in it or mount the other one onto it? Not sure if a different engine would affect it working or not.
Engine has nothing to do with it. Test the switch by jumping the two wires connected to it with car in reverse key in run position.
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Old Jun 18, 2024 | 11:42 AM
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I did, nothing happens. Thats why I assumed it was just the wrong switch (a lot on this car has been “done poorly” by the previous owner) but I guess maybe it just went bad.
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Old Jun 18, 2024 | 11:58 AM
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Originally Posted by Punkchachi
I did, nothing happens. Thats why I assumed it was just the wrong switch (a lot on this car has been “done poorly” by the previous owner) but I guess maybe it just went bad.
If you jumped the switch wires at the switch and no lights you have a problem somewhere else. Are you using a voltmeter or test light?
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Old Jun 18, 2024 | 12:05 PM
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I used both got nothing from it. If I tested the switch itself while in reverse, if the switch didn’t show continuity; shouldn’t that mean the switch is bad?

I may have misinterpreted what you meant early when you said jump. I had disconnected the switch from the wires running to the car. I only tested the switch side of the wiring, I didn’t jump the wires going to the lights.
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Old Jun 18, 2024 | 12:11 PM
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Originally Posted by Punkchachi
I used both got nothing from it. If I tested the switch itself while in reverse, if the switch didn’t show continuity; shouldn’t that mean the switch is bad?

I may have misinterpreted what you meant early when you said jump. I had disconnected the switch from the wires running to the car. I only tested the switch side of the wiring, I didn’t jump the wires going to the lights.
I meant jump the harness side not the switch
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Old Jun 20, 2024 | 12:47 PM
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connect the 2 wires to gether to see if you get the backup lights to work...do you have an automatic or a standard transmission? Just saw you have a standard, yes you need the second switch. You also need the shield and the linkage for it as well as the clips to holethe linkage together

https://www.keenparts.com/CorvettePa...&diagram=34016

https://www.keenparts.com/corvette-p...370125&year=C3

still looking for other parts for you
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Old Jun 20, 2024 | 01:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Rescue Rogers
connect the 2 wires to gether to see if you get the backup lights to work...do you have an automatic or a standard transmission? Just saw you have a standard, yes you need the second switch. You also need the shield and the linkage for it as well as the clips to holethe linkage together

https://www.keenparts.com/CorvettePa...&diagram=34016

https://www.keenparts.com/corvette-p...370125&year=C3

still looking for other parts for you
If you read through the thread the L48 appears to have come with a Saginaw transmission which uses the two prong switch.
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Old Jun 20, 2024 | 01:25 PM
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next question is which tranny is in it
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Old Jun 23, 2024 | 10:14 PM
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Got busy and was just able to mess with it today. I replaced the two prong switch and it works again! It sucked getting a wrench on it, but it’s all good now! Thanks y’all.
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