C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Back up light problem

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 6, 2016 | 11:45 PM
  #1  
hitekcm's Avatar
hitekcm
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 203
Likes: 2
From: Port Costa CA
Default Back up light problem

Have 88 with a 4+3 Doug Nash trans, just installed a rebuilt overdrive unit in it and can't seem to figure out why my back up lights won't come on in reverse. but they do come on in the other gears.
The ball sensor switch seems to be reversed as to when it comes on and when it should go off.
I'm fairly certain I have the correct switch or do I ?
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2016 | 01:22 AM
  #2  
WVZR-1's Avatar
WVZR-1
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Veteran: Army
Active Streak: 30 Days
Liked
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,394
Likes: 2,741
Default

Originally Posted by hitekcm
Have 88 with a 4+3 Doug Nash trans, just installed a rebuilt overdrive unit in it and can't seem to figure out why my back up lights won't come on in reverse. but they do come on in the other gears.
The ball sensor switch seems to be reversed as to when it comes on and when it should go off.
I'm fairly certain I have the correct switch or do I ?
I'd say maybe NOT - 14057528 (B/U) (GRAY), 14057529 (O/D)(BLACK) - Do you have GRAY and BLACK switches? I'm not sure that they were always colored differently but GM did little things like that for assembly purposes. GM also indexed/colored the Weather-Packs differently that connected them. I'd confirm all of the wire colors and check the switch colors maybe. I'm assuming you've the FSM.

Under what circumstances do the lights actually work? Which gear is selected and is it in OD or NOT?

Last edited by WVZR-1; Apr 7, 2016 at 01:49 AM.
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2016 | 10:33 AM
  #3  
hitekcm's Avatar
hitekcm
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 203
Likes: 2
From: Port Costa CA
Default back up light problem

Originally Posted by WVZR-1
I'd say maybe NOT - 14057528 (B/U) (GRAY), 14057529 (O/D)(BLACK) - Do you have GRAY and BLACK switches? I'm not sure that they were always colored differently but GM did little things like that for assembly purposes. GM also indexed/colored the Weather-Packs differently that connected them. I'd confirm all of the wire colors and check the switch colors maybe. I'm assuming you've the FSM.

Under what circumstances do the lights actually work? Which gear is selected and is it in OD or NOT?
Yes I do have the FSM and thats where I got the part number from bought it on ebay as they are hard to find. Yes it is gray and the problem was the box number the part came in was unreadable so I had to tak the sellers word on the part number.
The black one is a smaller diameter so you can't make a mistake there also the plugs are not inner changeable. I will get back to you on when it does come on.
Thanks
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2016 | 10:56 AM
  #4  
WVZR-1's Avatar
WVZR-1
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Veteran: Army
Active Streak: 30 Days
Liked
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,394
Likes: 2,741
Default

Originally Posted by hitekcm
Yes I do have the FSM and thats where I got the part number from bought it on ebay as they are hard to find. Yes it is gray and the problem was the box number the part came in was unreadable so I had to tak the sellers word on the part number.
The black one is a smaller diameter so you can't make a mistake there also the plugs are not inner changeable. I will get back to you on when it does come on.
Thanks
Do you have your old switch? You can check the operation of it on the bench. The B/U shouldn't have required an eBay buy. "LOCAL" - I would have thought. If you were supplied an incorrect switch that has opposite control that could certainly explain the "ON" in other gears. What's on the box of what you bought?

Maybe soak your old switch and exercise the depressed ball, that type of switch getting used seldom can certainly find itself "stuck". I'd think the switch should be N/O so depressing the ball should close and activate B/U lights. You might see if there's maybe a NAPA NS6599 available or maybe a Standard LS351 from Carquest or similar. Those I believe are N/O and be correct. You would need to confirm operation. I've a friend who whenever using a "depressed ball" operated switch confirms on a bench before installing. He taught me to do likewise. Some are very difficult to reach and the "second time" is never a joy.

If I were needing I'd be looking for a Wells SW8201- it displays all the correct specs and on their print it gives thread specs and N/O (It also has an OE/GM reference on their print)

http://www.wellsve.com/custom_search...ngs/SW8201.pdf

Last edited by WVZR-1; Apr 7, 2016 at 11:43 AM.
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2016 | 09:01 PM
  #5  
hitekcm's Avatar
hitekcm
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 203
Likes: 2
From: Port Costa CA
Default

Originally Posted by WVZR-1
I'd say maybe NOT - 14057528 (B/U) (GRAY), 14057529 (O/D)(BLACK) - Do you have GRAY and BLACK switches? I'm not sure that they were always colored differently but GM did little things like that for assembly purposes. GM also indexed/colored the Weather-Packs differently that connected them. I'd confirm all of the wire colors and check the switch colors maybe. I'm assuming you've the FSM.

Under what circumstances do the lights actually work? Which gear is selected and is it in OD or NOT?
I checked it today I have the car on a potable type hoist. The backup lights are on in all gears. If I remove the switch and depress the ball by hand, they go out so the switch must be wrong and not going in deep enough?
I ordered a Standard Parts LS 351 today so maybe that will be different . Thats the number my auto parts store says it takes.
I will let you know.
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2016 | 09:08 PM
  #6  
hitekcm's Avatar
hitekcm
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 203
Likes: 2
From: Port Costa CA
Default

Originally Posted by WVZR-1
Do you have your old switch? You can check the operation of it on the bench. The B/U shouldn't have required an eBay buy. "LOCAL" - I would have thought. If you were supplied an incorrect switch that has opposite control that could certainly explain the "ON" in other gears. What's on the box of what you bought?

Maybe soak your old switch and exercise the depressed ball, that type of switch getting used seldom can certainly find itself "stuck". I'd think the switch should be N/O so depressing the ball should close and activate B/U lights. You might see if there's maybe a NAPA NS6599 available or maybe a Standard LS351 from Carquest or similar. Those I believe are N/O and be correct. You would need to confirm operation. I've a friend who whenever using a "depressed ball" operated switch confirms on a bench before installing. He taught me to do likewise. Some are very difficult to reach and the "second time" is never a joy.

If I were needing I'd be looking for a Wells SW8201- it displays all the correct specs and on their print it gives thread specs and N/O (It also has an OE/GM reference on their print)


http://www.wellsve.com/custom_search...ngs/SW8201.pdf
Unfortunately my old one was broken and it does nothing.
Just so happens went to my auto parts store and ordered a LS351, so we'll see what happens.

As I said above the car is in my garage and is up on my portable hoist so it's not so bad to get to and I intend to leave it there until I figure this out.
I will check out wells thanks for the info !
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2016 | 01:35 AM
  #7  
WVZR-1's Avatar
WVZR-1
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Veteran: Army
Active Streak: 30 Days
Liked
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,394
Likes: 2,741
Default

Originally Posted by hitekcm
I checked it today I have the car on a potable type hoist. The backup lights are on in all gears. If I remove the switch and depress the ball by hand, they go out so the switch must be wrong and not going in deep enough?
I ordered a Standard Parts LS 351 today so maybe that will be different . Thats the number my auto parts store says it takes.
I will let you know.
I doubt if it's a "deep enough" problem - the fact that it works "BACKWARDS" (B/U on in all forward gears) in your hand confirms I'd think that it's a N/C switch instead of a N/O. Compare your LS351 to the Wells print.
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2016 | 07:41 PM
  #8  
hitekcm's Avatar
hitekcm
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 203
Likes: 2
From: Port Costa CA
Default back up lite problem

Originally Posted by WVZR-1
I doubt if it's a "deep enough" problem - the fact that it works "BACKWARDS" (B/U on in all forward gears) in your hand confirms I'd think that it's a N/C switch instead of a N/O. Compare your LS351 to the Wells print.
Hey thanks the LS 351 is correct and works now. however I did grind the base down slightly so the switch ball would make good contact.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Back up light problem

Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:30 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE