Reverse lights not coming on
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 469
Likes: 1
From: Heath Texas
Reverse lights not coming on
Did a search, but nothing came up.
When I shift into reverse, the backup lights do not come on. Bulbs are fine. They blink on when hitting the lock function on the key "fob."
Shop manual is at the house. Wondering if someone has experience this issue and can point the way. Fuse?
When I shift into reverse, the backup lights do not come on. Bulbs are fine. They blink on when hitting the lock function on the key "fob."
Shop manual is at the house. Wondering if someone has experience this issue and can point the way. Fuse?
Racer
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 252
Likes: 26
From: Salem Oregon
Assuming you have an M6 tranny.............
Do you have self dimming mirrors? Do they work?
How about the courtesy light from the RV mirror that is always on,
is it on?
They are all connected to the same fuse as the backup lights.
Sounds like a bad backup light switch.
Backup light switch is on the passenger side of the transmission behind
the catalytic convertor.
Replace the fuse, and be ready to do it again and again till you fix
the culprit.
Do you have self dimming mirrors? Do they work?
How about the courtesy light from the RV mirror that is always on,
is it on?
They are all connected to the same fuse as the backup lights.
Sounds like a bad backup light switch.
Backup light switch is on the passenger side of the transmission behind
the catalytic convertor.
Replace the fuse, and be ready to do it again and again till you fix
the culprit.
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Will be following this to see what you find out. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 7
From: Iowa
I agree with the above. The backup switch tends to short to ground when it fails. Had it happen to me. Very easy to fix. Its on the side of the transmission, unplug the electrical connector, unscrew the old switch, screw a new one in, plug in connector. You'll be good as new. I fixed this the same day I discovered it on mine, dealer had the part in stock, I think it was around $20. Its been a few years, no problems since.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,184
Likes: 4,178
From: Kannapolis NC
I agree with the above. The backup switch tends to short to ground when it fails. Had it happen to me. Very easy to fix. Its on the side of the transmission, unplug the electrical connector, unscrew the old switch, screw a new one in, plug in connector. You'll be good as new. I fixed this the same day I discovered it on mine, dealer had the part in stock, I think it was around $20. Its been a few years, no problems since.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 469
Likes: 1
From: Heath Texas
YES, it was the switch. Problem solved.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Okay, after running around paying some local shop $100s to look in to this for the 4th time, even by the 3rd visit asking them to look into this backup light switch that I saw here in this forum, they chose to go open up my interior of my car, suggesting removing my headers or even cutting part m=of my exhaust for them to look deeper. Thank goodness Dave Inkeles from corvette illuminations ask me to look into this $12 backup light switch, now everything works. Thanks you, Thank you, Thank you!!! 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,233
Likes: 5
From: Hyde Park New York
My backup lights also do not come on, but work when unlocking or locking the car. So I will assume the switch died. How hard is it to get to the switch? Do you have to jack the car up?
Racer
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 252
Likes: 26
From: Salem Oregon
You will need to lift the your car, also make sure you have a deep socket that the new switch will fit in. The ribs surrounding the switch on the transmission are tall and close to the switch.
It is a pretty easy fix.
It is a pretty easy fix.