Reverse lights out
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 349
Likes: 0
From: Northern Virginia
Reverse lights out
My back up lights haven't worked on my car since I got it a year ago. The lights don't work when I unlock with the key fob or when I put the car is reverse. I searched but every topic on the subject was dealing with if your back up lights worked when you unlocked but didn't work when you put it in reverse, in my case they don't work ever. I know the problem could be the reverse switch on the tranny or one of (I think) 2 fuses. Since my reverse lights don't work ever does that narrow down what could be causing the problem? If it's a fuse issue what fuse would it be and which fuse box would it be in?
Thanks in advance for the help.
Thanks in advance for the help.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 587
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From: Toronto Ontario
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,816
Likes: 16
From: Anchorage Alaska
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
Happened to me last month.
I tried replacing the fuse, but it promptly blew again when I shifted into reverse the first time. At that point it was obvious something ELSE was broke, that kept triggering the fuse to blow. You'll probably also notice your auto-dimming rear view mirror won't dim. (If you have one). Turns out they are both on the same circuit, or something like that. Who knew that to fix my rearview mirror I had to replace a reverse sensor??
FYI I found the sensor in stock at NAPA for pretty cheap.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Its fuse #2 and relay #38 (lamps) on the engine panel and fuse #21 (switches) on the footwell panel are all in play for the back up lights. Worth checking all of them
You'll need to find out why the fuse blew in the first place and its probably the reversing light switch on the transmission. Its a cheap part and often fails. Not had the problem on the Vette but my son's Camaro is on its 4th switch.
You'll need to find out why the fuse blew in the first place and its probably the reversing light switch on the transmission. Its a cheap part and often fails. Not had the problem on the Vette but my son's Camaro is on its 4th switch.
Last edited by DeeGee; Jul 4, 2009 at 03:19 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 349
Likes: 0
From: Northern Virginia
Thanks deegee for the fuse numbers, I'll try replacing those today and if that doesn't do it then I'll relpace the switch on the tranny.
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,960
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From: West Norriton PA
St. Jude Donor '08
Pretty easy to dignose if it's the switch. Put the key in and turn to the on position and put car in reverse. Take a test light and see if you're getting power down to the end connector at tranny. If so, it's the switch.
