Back-uo lights not functioning
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Little Elm Tx
Back-up lights not functioning
To begin with I am a Novice. The Backup ;ights do not come on when I am in reverse. The previous owner said that he thought they had come on in the past. This is a 71. I checked the fuse, which is also the turn signal fuse, and know that it is good. I replaced the bulbs, and still nothing. Is it more probable to be a transmission issue? By the way it is a three speed automatic. Could it be something else?
Thanks :confused: :chevy
[Modified by Clown Puncher, 3:44 PM 10/1/2003]
Thanks :confused: :chevy
[Modified by Clown Puncher, 3:44 PM 10/1/2003]
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: Hiram GA
Re: Back-up lights not functioning (Clown Puncher)
I also have a 71 with a 4sp. The backup switch is located on the left side of the tranny and is connected to the shifter linkage by a small rod. There are two wires connected (I believe a green & a pink wire ). The wires go up the left-center firewall to a connector. The connector is shaped like a batwing.
Hope this is some help.
Hope this is some help.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
From: Port Orchard Washington
Re: Back-up lights not functioning (Clown Puncher)
On a 71 with TH 400 the backup lights are activated by a combination neutral safety/backup switch on the shifter. Remove the shifter ball and the four screws holding the shifter cover plate. The switch is visible attached to the right side of the shifter base. Using a voltmeter check voltage across the wires on the switch (not the purple ones-those are neutral safety) in all positions of the shifter (P,R,N,D). This will tell you exactly where the problem is.
New switches come form many vendors for about $60. Hope this helps.
New switches come form many vendors for about $60. Hope this helps.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 3
From: Wildwood IL
Re: Back-up lights not functioning (Clown Puncher)
The three speed automatic has the back up light switch wireing incorporatd into the neutral safety switch in the center counsole. The switch itself is connected to the shift lever. If all looks good there, (no breaks) start checking the ground connections (blk wire) at each light housing in the rear. Continuity of the light bulb wires in the rear lighting harness would be next, to be sure they are not broken. I believe it's 1 green wire that runs from the neutral safety all the way back to each rear light housing. I just finished troubleshooting my back up lights...and found the conversion from Auto trans to manual was not completed by the previous owner. I converted the auto back up switch to a trans mounted switch. PITA!!!
Good Luck
Eddie
WOOPS...Missle Man beat me to it.. :D
[Modified by Silvr77, 1:10 PM 10/2/2003]
Good Luck
Eddie
WOOPS...Missle Man beat me to it.. :D
[Modified by Silvr77, 1:10 PM 10/2/2003]
