Backup light stays on

[Dan-MI]

Before I start trying to trace everything down, maybe someone has already run into this. My backup light goes on just fine when I put the car in reverse. It goes off just fine when you put it into a forward gear. The problem is if you leave it in reverse and shut the car off and pull the key out, the light stays on. Is this likely a bad reverse switch in the transmission or a messed up wiring job somewhere back in the car's history? When I bought it the backup light didn't work, but when I was under it awhile ago I noticed the wire wasn't connected to the switch. Now I know why the PO had it unplugged. You can wear the battery down pretty fast if you leave it parked a couple days in reverse, particularly if you parked it during daylight. It's probably wired wrong, but just wondering if anyone has had this happen.

Thanks

[hallgeir]

My guess is that it`s connected to the wrong fuse. Try to follow the wire from the switch and back to the fusebox if possible. It should be connected to a fuse that gets power when the ignition is turned on to work correctly.

[jordan]

The reverse light switch is right next to the reverse linkage under the car, usually this switch gets covered in gunky dirt and oil which can cause it to stick especially if it is in reverse for a long time ie: leaving the car in reverse will allow the switch to stick a little. I would take a look under the car and examine the switch, it has a little arm on it and a small stiff bristle brush and some solvent such as acetone or brake fluid should clean it up well and there is a good possibility that this will put you back in business.

[jlthunder]

Sounds like the switch is working fine. It is getting power from somewhere. As mentioned above, trace the wire. It should be on a key switched circuit.

[namba209]

According to my trusty DESTEC schematic, the power source for the backup lite is the Purple wire at the fuse panel. It should be hooked up to fuse #7 which is the last fuse or farthest away from the studs in the gang of 4 fuses. There shoud be two other purple wires at that fuse also. The only fuse that is "Hot" all the time is the first fuse past the studs, also in the gang of 4 fuses. It is possible that's where your purple wire is attached. HTH.

[jlthunder]

Originally Posted by jordan The reverse light switch is right next to the reverse linkage under the car, usually this switch gets covered in gunky dirt and oil which can cause it to stick especially if it is in reverse for a long time ie: leaving the car in reverse will allow the switch to stick a little. I would take a look under the car and examine the switch, it has a little arm on it and a small stiff bristle brush and some solvent such as acetone or brake fluid should clean it up well and there is a good possibility that this will put you back in business.

There were 2 different style back up light switches. On early models, it looked like a microswitch on the side of the transmission and later models had it threaded into the tranmission on the right hand upper rear section of the main body of the transmission.

Either way, it should not illuminate when the key is turned off.

[markandson]

If the light goes on and off as stated, there is nothing wrong with the switch,you are getting power from somewhere, look for that purple wire, it comes out of a hole in the top of the tranny tunnel on the left side almost up against the dash.

[Dan-MI]

Thanks, I'll check what fuse it's plugged into. That does sound like the likely problem.