Back-up lights are out?

[ourvette]

I recently purchased upgraded halogen backup lights for my 01 and noticed that they don’t work. I am beginning to believe that the backup lights have not worked since I bought the car (purchased the 01 in 2008 with 3000 miles on it). The backup lights are controlled through a relay in the engine compartment, but no fuse that I could find, any thoughts on what the problem might be??

[c4c5specialist]

Hi there,

Do your rear lights come on when you use the remote to unlock the doors ????

If so, that means your reverse switch is no good.

Also, it makes a difference if you have a manual or automatic??

Allthebest, c4c5

[ourvette]

I don't think so....I'll have to check... by the way it is an automatic. Thanks

[ourvette]

Paul,
I discovered the cause of my non-working backup lights. The OEM bulb has two filaments but only one is used. So to prevent both filaments from lighting the bulb socket has the positive contact on the base of the socket offset to only make contact with one of the bulb contacts. The 50 watt halogen upgrade has only a single centered contact and when inserted does not make contact with the off center socket contact. I have added a small piece of very thin copper tape to the socket which enables the centered bulb contact to make contact with the off centered socket contact. Your suggestion about using the remote saved a lot of work....Thanks

[jtward]

I replaced the whole backup lights and license plate holder with a unit from 'Adjure' which has a whole different number of points in it and I installed a set of 'Polarg M12 super white 28/7Watt bulbs' and it really changed the whole backing up area. It's like two foglights are back there. And I believe my backups come on when I use the remote fob to unlock the doors, but they go out once I open the door. The front fog lights come on when I use the fob to open the doors as well, but they too, go out once I open the door ? Is this a problem Paul ? It's done this since I bought the car in 2003.

[LLC5]

Originally Posted by jtward

And I believe my backups come on when I use the remote fob to unlock the doors, but they go out once I open the door. The front fog lights come on when I use the fob to open the doors as well, but they too, go out once I open the door ? Is this a problem Paul ? It's done this since I bought the car in 2003.

That is how my vehicle works also.

[jtward]

Originally Posted by LLC5

That is how my vehicle works also.

Well you would know ! Thank you .