87 vert...reverse lights still don't work...help needed
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Fort Lauderdale FL
87 vert...reverse lights still don't work...help needed
I posted a different thread on my vette failing NYS inspection because reverse back up lights weren't coming on and the parking brake wasn't functioning.
Well the bulbs and fuse checked out ok for the back up lights and I replaced the switch where the automatic shifter was and it still doesn't come on.
Since I took it to the dealer.. I thought it would be covered under warranty for the switch for the transmission since a new one was put in back in April. As I stated in my other thread... the dealer said the wiring would need to be replaced for the back up lights. Is this a dificult task and does anyone have a wiring diagram for this? I have 1 more week to fix these issues and I don't want to spend too much money.
Once I fix this problem then I'll move onto the parking brake issue. Thanks for the help in advance.
Well the bulbs and fuse checked out ok for the back up lights and I replaced the switch where the automatic shifter was and it still doesn't come on.
Since I took it to the dealer.. I thought it would be covered under warranty for the switch for the transmission since a new one was put in back in April. As I stated in my other thread... the dealer said the wiring would need to be replaced for the back up lights. Is this a dificult task and does anyone have a wiring diagram for this? I have 1 more week to fix these issues and I don't want to spend too much money.
Once I fix this problem then I'll move onto the parking brake issue. Thanks for the help in advance.
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The wiring for this circuit is not that complicated. If the switch is ggod, and power goes thru the fuse, a wire r socket is likely cut or rotted. Time and material is all that is needed. Unfortunately, a shop will charge $60 per hr to search for it. If you can fix it yourself, grab a test light and a wiring diagram and have at it.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 4,931
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From: Fort Lauderdale FL
Originally Posted by Pete K
The wiring for this circuit is not that complicated. If the switch is ggod, and power goes thru the fuse, a wire r socket is likely cut or rotted. Time and material is all that is needed. Unfortunately, a shop will charge $60 per hr to search for it. If you can fix it yourself, grab a test light and a wiring diagram and have at it.
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Bowling Green OH
I went through this with mine. I had the dealer check it out. It was $100 or so. They found the wire wasn't working somewhere over the tranny. I suspect it was the mouse from the front bumper...don't even get me started 
They said they would have to drop the tranny to get to the break. I was in a hurry so I had the dealer fix it the cheap way and they just ran an alternate wire. Things are working fine and have for about 3 years. One day (soon) when I get the tranny fixed I'll get that fixed the right way too but it worked for a patch. If your so inclined, just run a new wire yourself from the switch to the lights.
Mike
They said they would have to drop the tranny to get to the break. I was in a hurry so I had the dealer fix it the cheap way and they just ran an alternate wire. Things are working fine and have for about 3 years. One day (soon) when I get the tranny fixed I'll get that fixed the right way too but it worked for a patch. If your so inclined, just run a new wire yourself from the switch to the lights.Mike
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Fort Lauderdale FL
Well guess what... I got the circuit tester... and sure enough there is power going through the wires to the two back up lights by the license plate. I tested the wires and even tested inside the socket where the bulbs sit and they work fine. So could it be the bulb eventhough they look fine ? and the dealer didn't want to put new bulbs in so I could pass inspection ?
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True story: My grandfather had no back up lights on his 2 year old Fiat. He was a terrific mechanic who rebuilt aircraft instruments for a living. After spending hrs troubleshooting his problem, it turned out to be both bulbs burnt out. They looked good but were not. Do not be afraid to swap them out.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 4,931
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From: Fort Lauderdale FL
But all four not working ??? Is it the domino effect ? Surely they all couldn't have blown at the same time. so just to make sure I'm doing this correctly... Hook the circuit tester to the neg terminal on the battery.. and test the area needed to be done. If the light comes on.. it means its good. Correct ?
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Fort Lauderdale FL
Another update... the rear passenger behind the wheel light is getting power in the socket.. but the drivers side rear behind the wheel socket is not getting any power. So could that be the culprit ?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Fort Lauderdale FL
Ok.. I will go ahead and get 4 new bulbs anyways tonite and let me know when you are able to get that wiring diagram for me. I want to complete this tonite if possible so I can do the rear parking brakes this weekend.. and get the car inspected again before they do the " FULL" emissions inspection on the car as a penalty after 10 days. I got the air pump delete.. and I dont need any more hassle. Thanks for the help thus far.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Fort Lauderdale FL
Just found something else out. If you have all 4 bulbs out the sockets don't get power. If you put one bulb in say by the license plate in the rear, then the other socket gets power. The same goes for the side fender back up lights. If both are out.. no power. If one bulb in.. they both get power.
So as I was putting everything back together, I put her in reverse and nothing came on. But when I put her back in park. The lights on the side fenders came on for a quick sec then shut off. I notice if the automatic shifter is slightly above the R on the console, in between P , the lights come on only on the side fenders. I have to hold it there while I move in reverse. So what gives with the back up lights next to the license plate ?
I know the dealer doesn't want to accept responsbility for a mistake their mechanic may have made in crossing wires or something when the new tranny went in. Goes to show why they want to charge me 80 an hour to rewire the car.
WTF should I do now ? It has to be something the dealer did firsthand and only until then I realized the lights dont work. It may not have worked from the very beginning. I'm more pissed now than I ever was.
So as I was putting everything back together, I put her in reverse and nothing came on. But when I put her back in park. The lights on the side fenders came on for a quick sec then shut off. I notice if the automatic shifter is slightly above the R on the console, in between P , the lights come on only on the side fenders. I have to hold it there while I move in reverse. So what gives with the back up lights next to the license plate ?
I know the dealer doesn't want to accept responsbility for a mistake their mechanic may have made in crossing wires or something when the new tranny went in. Goes to show why they want to charge me 80 an hour to rewire the car.
WTF should I do now ? It has to be something the dealer did firsthand and only until then I realized the lights dont work. It may not have worked from the very beginning. I'm more pissed now than I ever was.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Fort Lauderdale FL
Originally Posted by Bill's86Coupe
What switch did you replace? Was it the park neutral switch or the back up?It sounds like something is just simply out of adjustment.
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Ok,I do not know if the P/N switch affects the back up lights but if they do,then theres a procedure to adjust it correctly.I dont have my GM manual anymore but maybe someone who does can.You just want to be sure that its adjusted correctly.From what I know,its not a simple replace and be done with it item.
Wish I still had that manual to read through again and refesh some burned out brain cells.
Wish I still had that manual to read through again and refesh some burned out brain cells.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 4,931
Likes: 3
From: Fort Lauderdale FL
Originally Posted by Bill's86Coupe
Ok,I do not know if the P/N switch affects the back up lights but if they do,then theres a procedure to adjust it correctly.I dont have my GM manual anymore but maybe someone who does can.You just want to be sure that its adjusted correctly.From what I know,its not a simple replace and be done with it item.
Wish I still had that manual to read through again and refesh some burned out brain cells.
Wish I still had that manual to read through again and refesh some burned out brain cells.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 14,130
Likes: 7
Cruise-In II Veteran
NY state inspections suck...I used to live in NY for almost 28 years...I had my Vette fail because one of those expensive 3rd brake light bulbs was out and I didnt even know it.We had safety/emissions where I lived and i hated it.I know its supposed to keep safe cars on the road but sometimes the crap you go through to pass sucks.My job at the dealer,they would fail people for old wiper blades and say their tires were bad when they had at least a year left in them.Its crazy.They used to fail cars that had headlights there were off adjustment by an inch or so.
Hope you get it passed soon.I know what youre going through.Hope someone can give you better info on what to do next.Im sure it will get fixed soon.
Hope you get it passed soon.I know what youre going through.Hope someone can give you better info on what to do next.Im sure it will get fixed soon.