Reverse light switch short circuit
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Detroit MI
Reverse light switch short circuit
I recently had transmission work down to my 1995 6spd. My
reverse lights wont work now. I checked the fuse box and the
15amp #28 fuse was blown (backup lights/cags). I changed the
fuse and drove the car without putting it into reverse
everything worked fine including CAGs until I went into
reverse. Thats when the fuse blew. The spark in the box was
strong, so I am assuming there is a short some where along
the line or within the switch. Can the switch itself cause a
short? I drew a wire diagram, I'm not sure if it is correct
though.
Fusebox__Hot+orangewire__Switch__greenwi re__backup lights__grd
Im thinking that the switch works on/off because as I soon as
I engage reverse the fuse blows, that must mean the short
lies somewhere between the switch and the green wire going to
the lights. Is is this assumption correct?
[Modified by djhatz, 1:44 AM 11/15/2003]
reverse lights wont work now. I checked the fuse box and the
15amp #28 fuse was blown (backup lights/cags). I changed the
fuse and drove the car without putting it into reverse
everything worked fine including CAGs until I went into
reverse. Thats when the fuse blew. The spark in the box was
strong, so I am assuming there is a short some where along
the line or within the switch. Can the switch itself cause a
short? I drew a wire diagram, I'm not sure if it is correct
though.
Fusebox__Hot+orangewire__Switch__greenwi re__backup lights__grd
Im thinking that the switch works on/off because as I soon as
I engage reverse the fuse blows, that must mean the short
lies somewhere between the switch and the green wire going to
the lights. Is is this assumption correct?
[Modified by djhatz, 1:44 AM 11/15/2003]
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Re: Reverse light switch short circuit (djhatz)
You are correct, one side of the reverse switch has 12v on it all the time, so the switch cannot have an internal short. The short lies from the switch to the backup lamp. Probably a pinched wire or the wire to the lamps was abraded during xmsn work exposing the wire which is touching ground. Get under the car and follow the wire.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Detroit MI
Re: Reverse light switch short circuit (djhatz)
The trans was dropped to do the rebuild, had to be done 3
times to get it done right.
I raised the front so I can take a look at the switch. The
orange hot and the green wire going to the switch are both
coming from a bundle wrapped in black plastic that goes from
the tail end of the trans to over the trans where I cant see
it anymore.
Trying to disconnect the switch to take a closer look at the wires, but cant reach the pull tab on the wire clip connecting the switch. Will try again later tonight. Thanks guys.
times to get it done right.
I raised the front so I can take a look at the switch. The
orange hot and the green wire going to the switch are both
coming from a bundle wrapped in black plastic that goes from
the tail end of the trans to over the trans where I cant see
it anymore.
Trying to disconnect the switch to take a closer look at the wires, but cant reach the pull tab on the wire clip connecting the switch. Will try again later tonight. Thanks guys.
