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C-5 6 speed reverse lights not working

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Old Apr 9, 2007 | 08:38 PM
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Default C-5 6 speed reverse lights not working

Any suggestions on what/how to troubleshoot my reverse lights not working? Car has 16K miles, never seen rain. I'm thinking it's not physically making contact to activate the switch......
Thanks, J.J.
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Old Apr 9, 2007 | 08:51 PM
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Originally Posted by J.J. McGovern
Any suggestions on what/how to troubleshoot my reverse lights not working? Car has 16K miles, never seen rain. I'm thinking it's not physically making contact to activate the switch......
Thanks, J.J.
First thing I would do is pull the reverse lights and use a tester to see if you are getting juice to the lights. If not then you need to get under the car and I believe the switch is on the drivers side of the transmission. See if you are getting power to that. If so, its probably the switch. If not its probably the wiring or the relay. The relay is in the box under the hood, I don't recall which one. If that relay is good (they RARELY go bad) then it is the wiring which is the worst part.

At this point I brought it to vette doctors who pulled the tranny tunnel plate to run a new wire. The $100 was well worth not having to do that on my back in the driveway.
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Old Apr 9, 2007 | 08:53 PM
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My car has gone through three or 4 switches. Go under the car and pull the plug off the switch and jump the terminal with a piece of wire. With the key on, the lights should come on. If its a bad switch, you can get it at the dealer. Takes a few minutes to replace.
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Old Apr 9, 2007 | 09:07 PM
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Default Reverse light switch

Thanks.... I'll go after it tomorrow, I'll let you know if it works...... I love this Forum!!!
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Old Apr 9, 2007 | 10:46 PM
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Originally Posted by J.J. McGovern
Any suggestions on what/how to troubleshoot my reverse lights not working? Car has 16K miles, never seen rain. I'm thinking it's not physically making contact to activate the switch......
Thanks, J.J.
I'd go fuse first, if the approach lights aren't working. Fuse 2 under hood. Same one for both. If the approach lights work but ithe backup lights don't check switch in transmission

Last edited by 65GGvert; Apr 9, 2007 at 11:09 PM.
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Old May 8, 2007 | 11:13 PM
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Hey 65GGvert,

You wouldn't happen to have a similiar drawing for an A4? I think I need to replace my switch too. Thanks!
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Old May 8, 2007 | 11:44 PM
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Originally Posted by dads01dream
Hey 65GGvert,

You wouldn't happen to have a similiar drawing for an A4? I think I need to replace my switch too. Thanks!
I can't find a picture or description of the backup switch for the A4. My feeling is that it is in the shifter area, but I can't find it in the service manual.
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Old May 9, 2007 | 10:43 AM
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Originally Posted by Fastguy
My car has gone through three or 4 switches. Go under the car and pull the plug off the switch and jump the terminal with a piece of wire. With the key on, the lights should come on. If its a bad switch, you can get it at the dealer. Takes a few minutes to replace.
You can also stand in back of the car and hit the keyfob unlock button to see if the lights are working.

Rick
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