Reverse lights?

Scott_B

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#1

• Aug 10, 2004

• #1

Mine dont work! I check and have no power at the plug in for the bulbs. Where do i check next? I know the plug is in the tranny, but could it be messed up at all?

 

88stangmangt

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Nov 25, 2003

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#2

• Aug 10, 2004

• #2

check the fuse...... check to make sure your reverse light sensor still works......

 

Scott_B

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#3

• Aug 10, 2004

• #3

88stangmangt said:

check the fuse...... check to make sure your reverse light sensor still works......

Click to expand...

Not dumb, but how do i do that?

As for the fuse, it shares the same fuse as the blinkers and rear defrost does it not?

 

8

87'GTstang

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#4

• Aug 10, 2004

• #4

It's all printed on the backside of the fuse cover. Pull the fuse, look at it to see if the metal inside it is seperated or partially melted, if so - congrats on the blown fuse. Check to see if the reverse switch on the side of the tranny both has power and is directing it to the backup lamps next if the replacement fuse falls through.

 

Scott_B

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#5

• Aug 10, 2004

• #5

Yeah, i checked the fuse, its good. So this leaves the plug. How do i check that? just strip of some of the wire cover, attach the groud to one, and the the test light to the other? And obviously while the key is on and the tranny in reverse..?

Also..if its not the plug, then what?

 

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87'GTstang

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#6

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Well if it's not the plug then attack the root - where's the power source for the actual wire that powers up the whole circuit? Start simple, then move to the more complex things - always.

What tranny though, T5 or AOD? Also do you have a test light on hand? If so also check for current at the fuse box (the point at which before it passes through the fuse. The same process applies to testing the reverse switch on the tranny.

 

Scott_B

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#7

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Its a T5.

Yeah, i have a test light. I really dont know much about electronics and wirering. I read in the Chiltons that the same fuse is used to do the reverse lights, the blinkers and rear defrost. They all work, so it must be working, correct?

So do i unplug the the switch, and test it at the tranny? or leav it plugged in and test the wires just after the switch?

 

HISSIN50

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#8

• Aug 10, 2004

• #8

you can use the test light at the switch itself. or use a DMM and check for continuity.
or jump the switch and see if the lights come on.
if you dont like playing with wiring, if switches are cheap, get one and toss it in.
the wire for the switch could have a break in it too. (goes back to trying to jump the switch. whenever i jump something, i use a a fuse on the jumper, just in case. a 3 amp fuse should be enough for the lights.
good luck.

 

Scott_B

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#9

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Yeah, i dont know what jumping is. How do you jump the switch?

 

HISSIN50

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#10

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i dont have a schematic handy, but i would bet that there is 12 volts to the reverse light switch. then when you engage reverse, the switch closes and sends 12 volts to the lights.
i would finda schematic and check this. if im right, then find the switch and confirm that you have 12 volts to the input of the switch (with the key on, one of the wires should show 12 volts). then put it in reverse and see if the other wire has 12 volts. if not, use paperclip or small wire with a fuse to connect both the wires - do your lights come on? if so, bad switch. do check schematics or get other peoples' opinions on whether my thinking is right (im about 90% sure im right), before doing this stuff. since you are not great with electrical stuff, i dont want to mislead you. good luck.

 

B

blk92stangg

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#11

• Aug 11, 2004

• #11

Good advice so far. If it were me, I would just jack the front up, or if there is space, just crawl underneath, pop off the switch on the tranny, and check for continuity with the trans in reverse. Or just use some wire to connect the two contacts in the plug to see if the reverse lights come on. Looking over my t5 pdf file, it looks like the switch either screws out, or is just press fit...doesn't look like it will too hard to change. Good luck.

 

HISSIN50

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#12

• Aug 11, 2004

• #12

blk92stangg said:

Good advice so far. If it were me, I would just jack the front up, or if there is space, just crawl underneath, pop off the switch on the tranny, and check for continuity with the trans in reverse. Or just use some wire to connect the two contacts in the plug to see if the reverse lights come on. Looking over my t5 pdf file, it looks like the switch either screws out, or is just press fit...doesn't look like it will too hard to change. Good luck.

Click to expand...

Blk92, thanks for clarifying - that is what i was trying to spit out.

 

I

iwashmycar

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Aug 11, 2004

#13

• Aug 11, 2004

• #13

blk92stangg said:

.......it looks like the switch either screws out, or is just press fit...doesn't look like it will too hard to change. Good luck.

Click to expand...

Screws out.

Mine went bad like that too, but I never replaced it because it is $30.

 

Scott_B

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#14

• Aug 11, 2004

• #14

Thanks guys!