Backup lights don't work in '72 Road Runner
#23190
01/25/06 02:15 AM
01/25/06 02:15 AM
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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What can go wrong with backup lights? Mine stopped working last year and I can't seem to figure out what's wrong with them. I replaced the neutral safety switch and both bulbs, but that didn't do anything. One of the sockets was a little corroded, but I cleaned it up and they still don't work. Can anyone explain how they get their power? How do you test them if they only work with the car running and in reverse? Any ideas would be appreciated.
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Re: Backup lights don't work in '72 Road Runner
#23191
01/25/06 02:22 AM
01/25/06 02:22 AM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 25,050 Texas
GoodysGotaCuda
5.7L Hemi, 6spd
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5.7L Hemi, 6spd
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 25,050
Texas
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Sorry, im not the best when it comes to wiring, but maybe back in the trunk, clean off any and all areas where the harness gets grounded. maybe there is a part of the wiring that the insulation has worn through and is grounding it. Have you checked them to see if they are getting power in R? wish i could help more. -Mike
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Re: Backup lights don't work in '72 Road Runner
[Re: GoodysGotaCuda]
#23193
01/25/06 02:49 AM
01/25/06 02:49 AM
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Anonymous
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I'll check for bare wires. That's always a possibliltiy with an older car. Where are they grounded? My brake, parking lights and turn signals work, so I figured the ground was good. Can you check them in reverse with the car off and the key in the on position? I thought the car had to be running for them to work. Not sure on that though.
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Re: Backup lights don't work in '72 Road Runner
[Re: 1_WILD_RT]
#23194
01/25/06 02:54 AM
01/25/06 02:54 AM
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Now that gives me some things to try! Thanks! I do have a test light, so I'll give it a shot.
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Re: Backup lights don't work in '72 Road Runner
[Re: stumpy]
#23198
01/25/06 09:06 PM
01/25/06 09:06 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,195 Harrisburg, Pa.
screamindriver
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Quote:
Or put the correct washer under it.
Most aftermarket switches have the washer already installed on them.. .And the center reverse light pin works separately from the plastic neutral saftey switch... The reverse recess is small enough to let the center pin drop down and bottom in the plastic housing which is already riding on the selector{ in fact the reverse lights will activate if the center pin can bottom out no matter what the height of the plastic neutral safty plunger}..I've installed 3 aftermarket switches in different cars in the last year..And all needed the pin filed a small amount to make the lights work in reverse...A comparison to the factory unit has shown the pin was in fact too long...
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Re: Backup lights don't work in '72 Road Runner
[Re: screamindriver]
#23199
01/25/06 11:49 PM
01/25/06 11:49 PM
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You guys may be on to something here. My backup lights stopped working around the time I replaced my neutral safety switch. I replaced the switch because it wouldn't always start in park or neutral, not because my backup lights weren't working. So the middle pin is too long? What does filing it down do? Does it allow the plastic wiring harness plug to go on the switch more? This is probably why I've been banging my head against a wall with this problem. I'll give it a shot tomorrow if the weather's decent. Thanks for the idea!
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Re: Backup lights don't work in '72 Road Runner
#23200
01/26/06 12:24 AM
01/26/06 12:24 AM
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Anonymous
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Or are you talking about the movable pin on the switch in the plastic plunger that goes in the tranny? How will filing that help? I'm sorry, but I don't understand how this stupid pin works to complete the circuit. Boy, do I hate electrical problems!
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Re: Backup lights don't work in '72 Road Runner
[Re: 1_WILD_RT]
#23202
01/26/06 12:41 PM
01/26/06 12:41 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,195 Harrisburg, Pa.
screamindriver
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Okay ,we're talking about the BOTTOM of the switch with the plastic plunger and the small center, metal pin... ... The neutral safty is operated by the big plastic plunger on the switch.. .For park and neutral this plastic piece drops into a recess in the "rooster comb"{this feature is basically a ground}.....For reverse, the recess in the comb is smaller...So the plastic neutral safty plunger just rides along the comb, but does not drop...But the small steel pin does drop into the hole, bottoming the steel pin in the plastic plunger case and completing the circuit for the back-up lights{the two outer wires on the switch}.. ..So what happens when the pin is too long is:....When the pin drops into the recess, it doe'snt extend the full travel and can't bottom out in the plastic plunger because the pin itself is too long....filing the pin will allow it to bottom completely in the plastic neutral housing when in the rooster comb reverse detent{recess} and complete the circuit... Here's what to try to see if you're on the right track....Take out the saftey switch from the transmission and hook up your wiring harness....You should have back up lights, if you don't , there's something else wrong{faulty switch or wiring problems}..To check for a faulty switch, run a jumper between the two outer wires on your back-up/ safty switch harness..If you have lights, the switch is bad....If still no lights you have a wiring problem ... . Now,assuming you have reverse lights... If you push the center pin in by itself the reverse lights will go off....It does'nt matter where in its travel the plastic neutral safty plunger is...All the way in or out or anywhere in the middle, if the pin is extended, the lights are on because ...the pin only has the opportunity to extend{by itself} out of the plastic plunger in the reverse recess on the rooster comb... Does this make it any clearer on what COULD be the problem ???
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Re: Backup lights don't work in '72 Road Runner
[Re: screamindriver]
#23203
01/26/06 03:14 PM
01/26/06 03:14 PM
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screamindriver, YOU'RE THE MAN! Thanks to 1 WILD RT's detailed troubleshooting instructions, I got the backup lights to work with the jumper on my neutral safety plug. I took the switch out and shaved a bit off the pin and now my backup lights work! I can't believe the pinheads who make this switch would make the pin too long. You have no idea how many hours I've spent trying to fix this problem. I just assumed the switch I bought was good, because it solved my neutral safety problem. Now maybe I can get my elusive inspection sticker so the cops will leave me alone. Thanks again to everyone who helped me with this incredibly annoying problem!
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Re: Backup lights don't work in '72 Road Runner
[Re: screamindriver]
#23205
08/21/06 10:31 AM
08/21/06 10:31 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,619 Almost Heaven
B_Body_Bob
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BTT - this just saved me a trip back to the parts store to get another defective switch. Now can someone tell me where to get a pigtail for the backup light/NSS switch? I tried the local parts stores, no dice.
Last edited by B_Body_Bob; 08/21/06 10:42 AM.
Everybody makes fun of a hillbilly until they need something fixed
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Re: Backup lights don't work in '72 Road Runner
[Re: B_Body_Bob]
#23206
08/21/06 11:39 AM
08/21/06 11:39 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,930 Odessa, Tx.
cudarex
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Quote:
BTT - Now can someone tell me where to get a pigtail for the backup light/NSS switch? I tried the local parts stores, no dice.
I got the whole NSS/BU harness from YO. Wasn't that expensive.
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