Fixing Reverse Lights... Gotta Check Everything! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

DaBigKahuna · 01-03-2012, 01:55 AM

Ok here's a good one.

The electrics on my truck are ok but there's a lot of little things that don't work on it so I've been attacking them one at a time.

Today I went after the passenger side reverse light. Drivers side works fine. After about an hour of trouble shooting, I figured that the bulb wasn't grounding.

Cleaned the bulb socket... nope that's not it.
Cleaned the where the screws contact the housing.. nope that's not it.
Took the housing out and cleaned the area of the housing that contacts the fender and the matching area on the fender... nope still no ground.

More poking around with the MultiMeter and I figured out the problem. The socket must be crimped or swedged or pressed into the housing. For some reason there was no electrical contact between the housing and the socket.

The fix: Since the housing and the socket couldn't be separated I cleaned up an area on both pieces, grabbed a scrap of 10 ga wire I had around, and soldered a "jumper" between the two pieces.

**passthebuck** · 01-03-2012, 10:42 AM

I had the exact same problem and I fixed it the same way. Damn near gave me an aneurism trying to figure it out...

**RenoKeene** · 01-03-2012, 11:35 AM

Good catch.

hayhauler71 · 01-03-2012, 03:45 PM

Had the same problem but just soldered the socket to housing

DaBigKahuna · 01-03-2012, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hayhauler71

Had the same problem but just soldered the socket to housing

Thought about doing that but I figure that the jumper would make better contact.

dmwphoto · 01-03-2012, 07:56 PM

thanks for the info. I am tackling this now.

DaBigKahuna · 01-03-2012, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmwphoto

thanks for the info. I am tackling this now.

That's one of the reasons I posted it.

I've got so much help here from other users... I feel the need to pay some of it back as it were.

dmwphoto · 01-03-2012, 08:30 PM

when I removed the lenses to start my diagnosis I found the PO had not installed the bulbs. After further review I found that the wiring was not ther. I have ordered new cups, bulbs and a rear wiring harnees. After installing that I still need to find out if it works and if not, why.

DaBigKahuna · 01-03-2012, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmwphoto

when I removed the lenses to start my diagnosis I found the PO had not installed the bulbs. After further review I found that the wiring was not ther. I have ordered new cups, bulbs and a rear wiring harnees. After installing that I still need to find out if it works and if not, why.

POs... what were they thinking. I thought my tail lights looked a little dim and kinda off color. I know the lenses were sun damaged some so I just chalked it up to that. Got some new lenses and when I pulled the old ones off, I found that he had put amber 1157 bulbs in them. At the other end of the truck he had swapped the turn signal lenses side for side..

KRUSTY 51 · 01-06-2012, 12:33 AM

I'm new to this site, had the same problem, fixed it the same way just today. thanks it helped me,and save a few hours of chasin' wires.

DaBigKahuna · 01-06-2012, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KRUSTY 51

I'm new to this site, had the same problem, fixed it the same way just today. thanks it helped me,and save a few hours of chasin' wires.

Glad to be of service!

**WorkinLonghorn** · 01-06-2012, 12:40 AM

Back-up Light? Are those supposed to work?

Did the 4spd trucks have this feature?

DaBigKahuna · 01-06-2012, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WorkinLonghorn

Back-up Light? Are those supposed to work?

Did the 4spd trucks have this feature?

I would imagine so!

RCbowtie69 · 01-07-2012, 11:57 AM

One day i wanted to see why my back up lights didn't work,found that the switch was gone.So call Classic Muscle in Winston Salem N.C. & they had a switch.Got home & put it in,then the fuse blown.Then i know i had a short in it some where & this is what i found.This is why you check everything.Hope this helps

OhioDan · 01-09-2012, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WorkinLonghorn

Back-up Light? Are those supposed to work?

Did the 4spd trucks have this feature?

The switch for the grandma 4 spd, is on the trans.,driver side, on top. The trans operates it. Been awhile since I've been under there.

roberto72chevy · 01-16-2012, 04:16 PM

have 72 chevy step side. been chasing wires and grounds. I put the blinker to the left works dim put license plate light blinks and the right marker likes blink.
turn on lights brake lights don't go on. its driving me crazy. I've checked fuses they look good replaced anyway.
Any suggestions, thanks.
Roberto

DaBigKahuna · 01-16-2012, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roberto72chevy

have 72 chevy step side. been chasing wires and grounds. I put the blinker to the left works dim put license plate light blinks and the right marker likes blink.
turn on lights brake lights don't go on. its driving me crazy. I've checked fuses they look good replaced anyway.
Any suggestions, thanks.
Roberto

Hmmm. Is it the front or rear side marker that flashes? Assuming that it's the front, if you go right on the lever, does the left side marker flash?

Pull the bulb out of the license plate light and see what happens.

Do you have a multi meter to check the wiring?

roberto72chevy · 01-16-2012, 08:16 PM

left signal turned, side markers go on leftside real strong and faint on right side.
pulled lic. bulb no difference.
yes have a meter.

DaBigKahuna · 01-16-2012, 09:13 PM

It's gotta be a short or a ground. The left side should not be contact with the right side and neither should be in contact with the license light.

Trace it out using the meter set on ohms or a sounder if the meter has one. The circuit from the left side, the right side and the license should be separate and show open on the ohms. make sure you pull the fuses for the circuits you're working on.

DaBigKahuna · 01-16-2012, 09:29 PM

Here's a wiring diagram posted on another thread http://outintheshop.com/faq/wiring/wiring.htm

With it backing into the license plate light, I might want to disconnect it at the plug that's shown.

oklalawnboy · 01-16-2012, 09:46 PM

My first guess would be a ground problem.

roberto72chevy · 01-16-2012, 09:52 PM

ok you are right, ground or short.
i will check with meter, using ohms when open will meter register.(digital)

I've checked grounds on engin to firewall. cleaned and reattached
cab to frame. cleaned and reattached.
I don't have one on box to frame. what do you think should I do that.

I've checked for shorts physically.

DaBigKahuna · 01-17-2012, 03:05 PM

Make yourself a jumper from a length of wire and two alligator clips and attach one end to ground on the light and the other to a know good ground. if that fixes your problem then look at how the grounding between the bed and chassis.

roberto72chevy · 01-17-2012, 11:28 PM

just got home will try later thanks for your help.

Ackattack · 01-18-2012, 01:50 PM

I have the same problem (and know its a ground issue). I just haven't gotten around to fixing it. Heck, I have 2 reverse light. The second one is just a back up, right (no pun intended

)

01-03-2012, 01:55 AM	#1
DaBigKahuna Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Disneyland, CA Posts: 486	Fixing Reverse Lights... Gotta Check Everything! Ok here's a good one. The electrics on my truck are ok but there's a lot of little things that don't work on it so I've been attacking them one at a time. Today I went after the passenger side reverse light. Drivers side works fine. After about an hour of trouble shooting, I figured that the bulb wasn't grounding. Cleaned the bulb socket... nope that's not it. Cleaned the where the screws contact the housing.. nope that's not it. Took the housing out and cleaned the area of the housing that contacts the fender and the matching area on the fender... nope still no ground. More poking around with the MultiMeter and I figured out the problem. The socket must be crimped or swedged or pressed into the housing. For some reason there was no electrical contact between the housing and the socket. The fix: Since the housing and the socket couldn't be separated I cleaned up an area on both pieces, grabbed a scrap of 10 ga wire I had around, and soldered a "jumper" between the two pieces.

01-03-2012, 10:42 AM	#2
passthebuck Sisyphus was my mentor! Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Carleton Place, Ontario CANADA Posts: 984	Re: Fixing Reverse Lights... Gotta Check Everything! I had the exact same problem and I fixed it the same way. Damn near gave me an aneurism trying to figure it out... __________________ passthebuck #5642 -TWO 1967 GMC 910's. One with L6/3-on-the tree and the other with 355 w/435hp & a 700r4. -a 2013 Honda Civic as my "sensible" car

01-03-2012, 11:35 AM	#3
RenoKeene Florida Edition Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Fruitland Park, FL Posts: 4,030	Re: Fixing Reverse Lights... Gotta Check Everything! Good catch. __________________ 70 GMC Short Stepside "Rose"-An American Beauty: Factory 402/TH400, AM/FM, AC, Tilt, Tach, Buckets, Posi, PS, PB, 3-5 Drop, Complete Resto-Rod 67 C-20 Slant Back Wrecker "Mad Max" 67 C-10 Ratrod "Step-N-Wolf" 71 Serro Scotty Sportsman camper "Scotty" 97 LT1 Z28 "The Hornet" Link to more pics of "Rose" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...p?albumid=1684 Check out my "Cheap Tricks" thread and add to it if you can, lots of good info there. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=489394

01-03-2012, 03:45 PM	#4
hayhauler71 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: St. Paul MN. Posts: 1,996	Re: Fixing Reverse Lights... Gotta Check Everything! Had the same problem but just soldered the socket to housing __________________ Fuzzy

01-03-2012, 07:56 PM	#6
dmwphoto Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Richmond, Va Posts: 573	Re: Fixing Reverse Lights... Gotta Check Everything! thanks for the info. I am tackling this now.

01-03-2012, 08:30 PM	#8
dmwphoto Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Richmond, Va Posts: 573	Re: Fixing Reverse Lights... Gotta Check Everything! when I removed the lenses to start my diagnosis I found the PO had not installed the bulbs. After further review I found that the wiring was not ther. I have ordered new cups, bulbs and a rear wiring harnees. After installing that I still need to find out if it works and if not, why.

01-06-2012, 12:33 AM	#10
KRUSTY 51 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Napa cal. Posts: 30	Re: Fixing Reverse Lights... Gotta Check Everything! I'm new to this site, had the same problem, fixed it the same way just today. thanks it helped me,and save a few hours of chasin' wires.

01-06-2012, 12:40 AM	#12
WorkinLonghorn Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Studio City, Calif. Posts: 2,886	Re: Fixing Reverse Lights... Gotta Check Everything! Back-up Light? Are those supposed to work? Did the 4spd trucks have this feature? __________________ '69 GMC C2500 Custom Camper, 8 1/2' bed, New GM 350, NP 435 Close Ratio 4spd. Trans., 3.73 Dana-60 open.Camper and Trailer wiring, PS, PB, AC, tach , three gas tanks, stereo speakers, 2nd owner, Work-Truck supreme.

01-07-2012, 11:57 AM	#14
RCbowtie69 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Thomasville, NC Posts: 1,877	Re: Fixing Reverse Lights... Gotta Check Everything! One day i wanted to see why my back up lights didn't work,found that the switch was gone.So call Classic Muscle in Winston Salem N.C. & they had a switch.Got home & put it in,then the fuse blown.Then i know i had a short in it some where & this is what i found.This is why you check everything.Hope this helps Attached Images __________________ My Truck: 2.5 drop front, 4 & 5/8 in rear, 350cubic in. been bored .60 over, 700r4 (soon), 3 speed (on tree for now).rims & tires size,15x8 ralleys 5 on 5,P275/60R15. Members I have met: Pickupman, 1972 Super Cheyenne, Stepside,Chis Mc Bride. tsnow67,joel.e, Last edited by RCbowtie69; 01-07-2012 at 12:03 PM.

01-16-2012, 04:16 PM	#16
roberto72chevy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Santa fe, NM Posts: 7	Re: Fixing Reverse Lights... Gotta Check Everything! have 72 chevy step side. been chasing wires and grounds. I put the blinker to the left works dim put license plate light blinks and the right marker likes blink. turn on lights brake lights don't go on. its driving me crazy. I've checked fuses they look good replaced anyway. Any suggestions, thanks. Roberto

01-16-2012, 08:16 PM	#18
roberto72chevy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Santa fe, NM Posts: 7	Re: Fixing Reverse Lights... Gotta Check Everything! left signal turned, side markers go on leftside real strong and faint on right side. pulled lic. bulb no difference. yes have a meter.

01-16-2012, 09:13 PM	#19
DaBigKahuna Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Disneyland, CA Posts: 486	Re: Fixing Reverse Lights... Gotta Check Everything! It's gotta be a short or a ground. The left side should not be contact with the right side and neither should be in contact with the license light. Trace it out using the meter set on ohms or a sounder if the meter has one. The circuit from the left side, the right side and the license should be separate and show open on the ohms. make sure you pull the fuses for the circuits you're working on.

01-16-2012, 09:29 PM	#20
DaBigKahuna Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Disneyland, CA Posts: 486	Re: Fixing Reverse Lights... Gotta Check Everything! Here's a wiring diagram posted on another thread http://outintheshop.com/faq/wiring/wiring.htm With it backing into the license plate light, I might want to disconnect it at the plug that's shown.

01-16-2012, 09:46 PM	#21
oklalawnboy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Glencoe Alabama Posts: 510	Re: Fixing Reverse Lights... Gotta Check Everything! My first guess would be a ground problem. __________________ 72 Cheyenne super 10 08 3500 HD 4dr dually 12 ford flex (wifes ride) 76 Monte Carlo 83 Chevy short wide Silverado 96 Mazda Miata, 2000 Allegro Bus

01-16-2012, 09:52 PM	#22
roberto72chevy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Santa fe, NM Posts: 7	Re: Fixing Reverse Lights... Gotta Check Everything! ok you are right, ground or short. i will check with meter, using ohms when open will meter register.(digital) I've checked grounds on engin to firewall. cleaned and reattached cab to frame. cleaned and reattached. I don't have one on box to frame. what do you think should I do that. I've checked for shorts physically.



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01-17-2012, 03:05 PM	#23
DaBigKahuna Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Disneyland, CA Posts: 486	Re: Fixing Reverse Lights... Gotta Check Everything! Make yourself a jumper from a length of wire and two alligator clips and attach one end to ground on the light and the other to a know good ground. if that fixes your problem then look at how the grounding between the bed and chassis.

01-17-2012, 11:28 PM	#24
roberto72chevy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Santa fe, NM Posts: 7	Re: Fixing Reverse Lights... Gotta Check Everything! just got home will try later thanks for your help.

01-18-2012, 01:50 PM	#25
Ackattack Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Valley Center KS Posts: 3,524	Re: Fixing Reverse Lights... Gotta Check Everything! I have the same problem (and know its a ground issue). I just haven't gotten around to fixing it. Heck, I have 2 reverse light. The second one is just a back up, right (no pun intended ) __________________ Project Bruiser: 68 Pro-Touring C-10 5.3L / 4L60E Project Ironhide: 97 GMC Crew Cab 4x4 Cummins SOLD: '69 GMC 1/2T SWB TBI'd: Project No Buck Assembly Manual Index Sign up Thread!!! Factory Service Manual Index

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