How to enable backup lights at will?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,094
Likes: 5
From: The 7th layer of hell - Western Washington
How to enable backup lights at will?
I did a search and didn't find anything on this...
How would I go about turning on the backup lights any time that I wanted to, without actually going into reverse? I am assuming there is just a relay that I need to power on to accomplish this, then add a small switch inside the cabin and done deal?
Thanks in advance!!!
How would I go about turning on the backup lights any time that I wanted to, without actually going into reverse? I am assuming there is just a relay that I need to power on to accomplish this, then add a small switch inside the cabin and done deal?
Thanks in advance!!!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Theres a wire that goes to the handbrake. When you put the e brake on it goes to ground and makes the circuit
But
. White lights showing to the rear when you're travelling forward is illegal both in the US and the UK. It would confuse someone behind you into thinking that there's a car on their side of the road coming towards them. Dangerous in my view.
But
. White lights showing to the rear when you're travelling forward is illegal both in the US and the UK. It would confuse someone behind you into thinking that there's a car on their side of the road coming towards them. Dangerous in my view.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 220
Likes: 1
From: East Windsor NJ
I have them set up on my truck with a single pole double throw switch-center off and a relay out back. This way I can put them in auto mode, off, and on all the time. This was done so I could hitch a trailer in the dark by turning on the lights back there without being in reverse.
To do this, you need a relay installed on the reverse light wiring and a constant power source for the lights. Cut the existing power feed for the lights and wire the light to the relay. You then run the trigger for the relay into the switch and attach it to the common terminal. The other two terminals on the switch get a feed which is hot all the time and one that only hot when the car is in reverse. Most likely the easiest source would literally be the wire that you cut out back to power the lights from the relay.
Again, as said before, it is illegal on the road and you will get a ticket if caught.
To do this, you need a relay installed on the reverse light wiring and a constant power source for the lights. Cut the existing power feed for the lights and wire the light to the relay. You then run the trigger for the relay into the switch and attach it to the common terminal. The other two terminals on the switch get a feed which is hot all the time and one that only hot when the car is in reverse. Most likely the easiest source would literally be the wire that you cut out back to power the lights from the relay.
Again, as said before, it is illegal on the road and you will get a ticket if caught.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,094
Likes: 5
From: The 7th layer of hell - Western Washington
thanks for all the illegal and streetracing commentary, but that doesn't really concern me at the current juncture.
what I am looking for is what I need to change/add on the current vehicle to enable the reverse lights any time I want to. rumor has it that it's a somewhat simple addition/modification to the C5 that doesn't require a lot of additional wiring or hardware...
HeadHunter1 - thanks for the info on how you did it with your truck, I'll keep that method in mind.
what I am looking for is what I need to change/add on the current vehicle to enable the reverse lights any time I want to. rumor has it that it's a somewhat simple addition/modification to the C5 that doesn't require a lot of additional wiring or hardware...
HeadHunter1 - thanks for the info on how you did it with your truck, I'll keep that method in mind.
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