Where are the reverse lights activated? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

foamypirate · 11-04-2010, 01:14 AM

I was just wondering where the reverse lights are activated on these trucks (column shifter, auto). We swapped a 200-4R into my brothers 70' C10, and I don't think the reverse lights were ever hooked up, even with the TH350 that was in it. We need to get it inspected, but weren't sure where the reverse light switch is. Is it on the column? We do have a switch we can use on the trans if it isn't.

Thanks in advance guys.

Sammy · 11-04-2010, 07:56 AM

Almost positive it is on the neutral safety switch on the column. Take a look at the FAQ section wiring diagram it will point you in the right direction for the correct answer.

Sammy · 11-04-2010, 08:09 AM

Don't know if it is me or what but the Colored Wire Harness Diagram shows no longer in FAQ. (CAN someone check this out? Mod folks?) But I did find the connections on the Neutral Safety switch FAQ you are looking for here on this link. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=126579

71meangreenc10 · 11-04-2010, 08:24 AM

Sammy,

If your truck was a factory automatic, the back up light wires are in with the neutral safety switch on the bottom of the column, the wire colors are light green.

If it was a 3 speed manual it would still be on the column at the bottom, same color.

Smitty

foamypirate · 11-04-2010, 11:18 PM

Thanks for the help guys! This should get us going.

foamypirate · 11-05-2010, 01:12 AM

Well, it looks like the switch is bad. Checked the connector for the reverse lights, and one of the wires has 12v with ignition on. Checked continuity on the switch, and there is 0 continuity over the reverse light connectors in any position.

Hopefully that's all there is to it!

classicchev · 11-07-2010, 01:10 PM

Check the position of the switch to make sure its in the reverse position when the trans is in reverse.. When I did my overdrive swap I had to fiddle with it to get the right spot for the lights to come on.

foamypirate · 11-07-2010, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by classicchev

Check the position of the switch to make sure its in the reverse position when the trans is in reverse.. When I did my overdrive swap I had to fiddle with it to get the right spot for the lights to come on.

Yeah, we ran it through every single position with no luck. New switch is on it's way though!

C20-67_N_MO · 11-07-2010, 09:47 PM

Nice trouble shooting!

Have not checked mine since I got it.

Good tips everyone!

AZChevyland · 11-07-2010, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by classicchev

Check the position of the switch to make sure its in the reverse position when the trans is in reverse.. When I did my overdrive swap I had to fiddle with it to get the right spot for the lights to come on.

Good idea. On our truck the PO did a swap to a 700R tranny and i just noticed the backup lights dont work. I will have to check this out.

foamypirate · 11-28-2010, 01:50 PM

Just wanted to update this. New reverse light switch is in, and it was, indeed, the culprit. The old switch was toast, and the piece that the column moves could easily rock back and forth, making or breaking contact.

On to the next part of the mystery, however. The PO apparently bypassed the neutral safety switch, and I can't find the plug. Seems like they just cut it off, so that's next on the list. This poor truck really just needs a new wiring harness.

11-04-2010, 01:14 AM	#1
foamypirate Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Pflugerville, TX Posts: 594	Where are the reverse lights activated? I was just wondering where the reverse lights are activated on these trucks (column shifter, auto). We swapped a 200-4R into my brothers 70' C10, and I don't think the reverse lights were ever hooked up, even with the TH350 that was in it. We need to get it inspected, but weren't sure where the reverse light switch is. Is it on the column? We do have a switch we can use on the trans if it isn't. Thanks in advance guys.

11-04-2010, 07:56 AM	#2
Sammy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Bonne Terre, Mo Posts: 3,005	Re: Where are the reverse lights activated? Almost positive it is on the neutral safety switch on the column. Take a look at the FAQ section wiring diagram it will point you in the right direction for the correct answer. __________________ '69 Chevy Long Fleet & '71 GMC Short Step & Project "ODD BALL" "You can wash a pig, soak it in most expensive perfume. In the end it is still just a pig." ODD BALL build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=478629"

11-04-2010, 08:09 AM	#3
Sammy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Bonne Terre, Mo Posts: 3,005	Re: Where are the reverse lights activated? Don't know if it is me or what but the Colored Wire Harness Diagram shows no longer in FAQ. (CAN someone check this out? Mod folks?) But I did find the connections on the Neutral Safety switch FAQ you are looking for here on this link. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=126579 __________________ '69 Chevy Long Fleet & '71 GMC Short Step & Project "ODD BALL" "You can wash a pig, soak it in most expensive perfume. In the end it is still just a pig." ODD BALL build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=478629"

11-04-2010, 08:24 AM	#4
71meangreenc10 Its a Truck Thing...... Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sierra Vista, Arizona Posts: 3,179	Re: Where are the reverse lights activated? Sammy, If your truck was a factory automatic, the back up light wires are in with the neutral safety switch on the bottom of the column, the wire colors are light green. If it was a 3 speed manual it would still be on the column at the bottom, same color. Smitty __________________ 71 C10 283/3SPD Full Resto 71 GMC 1500 Sierra Grande http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=518599 70 C10 Suburban Former military GSA truck. 72 Chevy Blazer 4X4, Sloppy Jo, Mountain Climber. Wife says no more trucks. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=707378 72 GMC 1 Ton Motor Home, wife said no more trucks until she saw this one. Gen 3 6.0/4L80E 4.10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=761110 68 GMC Suburban was 3/4 ton, now 1/2.Wife shook her head 71 C30 Wrecker 71 C20 Scott-Bilt As weird as it gets..BB Cheyenne AC Truck 68 GMC Long Stepside. They keep following me home 69 C30 Former Motor Home, Flat Bed time 70 G20 Red-E-Kamp Conversion "I'm your Boogy Van"

11-04-2010, 11:18 PM	#5
foamypirate Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Pflugerville, TX Posts: 594	Re: Where are the reverse lights activated? Thanks for the help guys! This should get us going.

11-05-2010, 01:12 AM	#6
foamypirate Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Pflugerville, TX Posts: 594	Re: Where are the reverse lights activated? Well, it looks like the switch is bad. Checked the connector for the reverse lights, and one of the wires has 12v with ignition on. Checked continuity on the switch, and there is 0 continuity over the reverse light connectors in any position. Hopefully that's all there is to it!

11-07-2010, 01:10 PM	#7
classicchev Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Calgary Alberta Posts: 1,936	Re: Where are the reverse lights activated? Check the position of the switch to make sure its in the reverse position when the trans is in reverse.. When I did my overdrive swap I had to fiddle with it to get the right spot for the lights to come on. __________________ 67- 72 Parts collecter

11-07-2010, 09:47 PM	#9
C20-67_N_MO Champagne Taste on Beer Budget Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: High Ridge, Missouri Posts: 2,190	Re: Where are the reverse lights activated? Nice trouble shooting! Have not checked mine since I got it. Good tips everyone! __________________ Coming Soon: Project 1970 Country Truck

11-28-2010, 01:50 PM	#11
foamypirate Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Pflugerville, TX Posts: 594	Re: Where are the reverse lights activated? Just wanted to update this. New reverse light switch is in, and it was, indeed, the culprit. The old switch was toast, and the piece that the column moves could easily rock back and forth, making or breaking contact. On to the next part of the mystery, however. The PO apparently bypassed the neutral safety switch, and I can't find the plug. Seems like they just cut it off, so that's next on the list. This poor truck really just needs a new wiring harness.



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