Electronics Need help wiring something up? Thinking of adding an electrical component to your car? Need help troubleshooting that wiring glitch?

Reverse lights not working

Old Nov 14, 2008 | 12:09 AM
  #1  
Guro 305's Avatar
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Car: 1986 Pontiac Firebird S/E
Engine: 305 carb'd V8
Transmission: 4-speed auto
Axle/Gears: Stock
Reverse lights not working

Checked the bulbs and switches, both look good. Switched bulbs and switches.....nothing. Any ideas?
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Old Nov 14, 2008 | 10:07 AM
  #2  
BigBadLou's Avatar
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Car: '91 Z28 convertible
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Axle/Gears: 3.27 posi disc
Re: Reverse lights not working

Have you used a test light (or voltmeter) to check the voltage at the switch and at the bulbs?

Lou
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Old Nov 14, 2008 | 10:33 AM
  #3  
brodysZ28's Avatar
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Car: 1983 Camaro Z28
Engine: 383
Transmission: TKO 600
Axle/Gears: Strange S60
Re: Reverse lights not working

check where it plugs into the transmission. maybe it popped out.
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Old Nov 14, 2008 | 11:17 AM
  #4  
Guro 305's Avatar
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From: West Palm Beach, FL
Car: 1986 Pontiac Firebird S/E
Engine: 305 carb'd V8
Transmission: 4-speed auto
Axle/Gears: Stock
Re: Reverse lights not working

Originally Posted by brodysZ28
check where it plugs into the transmission. maybe it popped out.
That's what I was thinking. I ran over some roadkill on the Turnpike awhile ago. It was a real real big hit.....like a dead dog. Didn't really notice it until recently. Do you know what is the name of that switch that plugs into the tranny?
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Old Nov 14, 2008 | 11:17 PM
  #5  
Al Hasse's Avatar
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From: Bremerton, WA
Car: 1992 RS / 1989 RS
Engine: 3.1L MFI / Vortec 383 TBI
Transmission: T5 / LS-T56
Axle/Gears: 3.42 open / 3.73 Eaton posi
Re: Reverse lights not working

It's called a back-up light switch.

NAPA part ECH NS6574
http://www.napaonline.com/MasterPage...p+Light+Switch
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Old Nov 15, 2008 | 01:52 AM
  #6  
Guro 305's Avatar
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From: West Palm Beach, FL
Car: 1986 Pontiac Firebird S/E
Engine: 305 carb'd V8
Transmission: 4-speed auto
Axle/Gears: Stock
Re: Reverse lights not working

Originally Posted by Al Hasse
It's called a back-up light switch.

NAPA part ECH NS6574
http://www.napaonline.com/MasterPage...p+Light+Switch
Thanks man. Hey, since we're at it is there one on the tranny for the odometer also?
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Old Nov 15, 2008 | 03:00 PM
  #7  
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Car: 1983 Camaro Z28
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Re: Reverse lights not working

i think there is just the speedometer cable.
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Old Nov 21, 2008 | 09:58 AM
  #8  
Guro 305's Avatar
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Car: 1986 Pontiac Firebird S/E
Engine: 305 carb'd V8
Transmission: 4-speed auto
Axle/Gears: Stock
Re: Reverse lights not working

Folks at Advance Auto said that the back-up light switch is for a manual tranny and the neutrel safety switch is for the auto. Is this true?
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Old Nov 21, 2008 | 01:14 PM
  #9  
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Car: '91 Z28 convertible
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Axle/Gears: 3.27 posi disc
Re: Reverse lights not working

Originally Posted by Guro 305
Folks at Advance Auto said that the back-up light switch is for a manual tranny and the neutrel safety switch is for the auto. Is this true?
Absolutely.
For the automatics, the shifter switch turns on the reverse lights. It's the dark blue and light green wires.

Hope this helps.
Lou
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Old Nov 21, 2008 | 06:45 PM
  #10  
Guro 305's Avatar
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From: West Palm Beach, FL
Car: 1986 Pontiac Firebird S/E
Engine: 305 carb'd V8
Transmission: 4-speed auto
Axle/Gears: Stock
Re: Reverse lights not working

Originally Posted by BigBabyLou
Absolutely.
For the automatics, the shifter switch turns on the reverse lights. It's the dark blue and light green wires.

Hope this helps.
Lou
Yes it does bro, thank you!
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Old Dec 21, 2008 | 09:45 PM
  #11  
Guro 305's Avatar
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From: West Palm Beach, FL
Car: 1986 Pontiac Firebird S/E
Engine: 305 carb'd V8
Transmission: 4-speed auto
Axle/Gears: Stock
Re: Reverse lights not working.....UPDATE!!!!

I changed out the neutral safety switch and problem is solved. This case is closed!
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