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no reverse lights? replaced the sensor

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1gAWD92

10+ Year Contributor
159
1
Dec 27, 2011
Springfield, Virginia
Ok so I have had no reverse lights for a while now and cant figure it out. I have power at the fuse, but not at the lights. I have replaced the reverse sensor on the tranny, and still no lights. Could it be a bad ground? I cant locate the ground wire for the reverse lights to check it out. I checked voltage at the lights, when I put it in gear it goes over 12v then down to about 2-4 v. Any ideas?
 
You need to ohm the hot side of the socket the light goes in to ground to make sure it isn't shorted somewhere from the sensor back. Bad grounds will usually cause more problems that just a couple of lights not working like a turn signal staying on or something could still be a ground problem. You can just jump out the sensor just to verify if that is the problem or not just make sure the fuse is the correct size and is in place just in case something sorts out badly.
 
That diagram is for MT and AT. 1g and 2g

:coy: yeah i noticed that after a couple min. :ohdamn: my falt.

Unplug the Sensor and do a jump, If it works, then your sensor is not good, or is not installed properly.
If it doesn't work like that ether, at least you discard the sensor and focus on something else, like the wiring or Fuse.

when you say "jump" you mean run a power source to the wires its self right?

....i realy got to get some pics on here to show yall what im working with. i can get them up tomorrow.
 
I have a 2g and had this problem. Maybe this will help you. Take out your switch and plug it into the harness. Turn your power on without starting car and put it in reverse, your lights should stay on then when you push the ball in, they go off. If they come on and go off, the switch works. There is a washer that goes under it and it matters. Also don't tighten it too much because I had mine malfunction for bein too tight. Hope this helped.
 
so i still have no reverse lights.:sosad: checked the bulbs and they look to be fine. the fuse is in tacked as well. i think i narrowed it down to the connector to the reverse switch on the trans. looks like the last owner cut the connector and just ran the wires to the terminals on the switch heres a picture of what in talking about

jumped the wires like you guys said and nothing.......i guess that meaning im screwed?:confused:
 

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so i still have no reverse lights.:sosad: checked the bulbs and they look to be fine. the fuse is in tacked as well. i think i narrowed it down to the connector to the reverse switch on the trans. looks like the last owner cut the connector and just ran the wires to the terminals on the switch heres a picture of what in talking about

Get new bulbs, they can look fine and still be blown. Or check to see if you have power at the plug.
 
get a better picture of that plug. That could be your issue. Check the fuse if there is one.

If I see that picture right, looks like the two connectors are touching which would eliminate your reverse light circuit.
 
here is a better picture. im thinking that i need to fined that plug connector for the reverse switch and maybe it will work again.
 

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Can you double check the wire colors going to the switch.

My 1G FSM say that the hot wire should be red but that the wire from the switch to the reverse lights should be red w/blue stripe and that wire looks likes it's black w/red stripe.

I checked my car and it matches my FSM's so I don't know where the diagram above came from.
 
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That plug looks pretty well wasted. Clip the wires and out them together. If the lights come in its tour problem. If they don't, put them together and check for voltage at the bulb.
 
(assuming your fuse is good as you say) you should see if you have voltage at the sensor. if you have voltage at the sensor check continuity through the sensor. Just work your way back all the way to the light. If your reading a full circuit there must be a short somewhere. Looking at the pictures the thick red wire doesn't look stock. (the other one looks like its a smaller gauge) thats where I would start.
 
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