How to troubleshoot backlights
Just knowing what the problem is doesn’t allow you to figure out exactly what it is. To do this, you need to do a little troubleshooting and pay attention to everything that’s going on first.
1. Are all of your backlights not working or just one or two? If none of your backlights are working, first take out one of the bulbs. Make sure the filament is still intact, if not, replace it and see what happens.
2. If the new bulb doesn’t work, then you have a short in the system and need to find it. However, if it works fine, then you may need to replace all the bulbs.
3. If the bulbs are fine, switch to the fuses and relays. Replace the fuse or relay with one you know works and see if the problem continues. If it does, then the problem is there!
4. Then move on to the backlight switch. To test the switch, you will need to reach into it while it is installed in the vehicle. Use a test light to put the car in reverse. Check each port to see if there is power there. At this point, there should be power to each port.
5. Next change gears, and you should only have power on one side of the connector. If your switch doesn’t work this way, it may need to be replaced.
6. Finally, there could be a problem with the vehicle’s wiring. Unfortunately, wiring problems can occur in many different ways, making them difficult to troubleshoot. Typically, you need to check if everything is connected properly and check for power on the wiring until you find a break or anomaly.
Where is the reverse light switch?
If you’re looking for the reverse light switch somewhere in the cabin of your car, you’re completely wrong. This is because the reverse light switch is located underneath the vehicle, next to the transmission. More precisely, it is located in the gearbox which turns a switch to connect the connector. Not only do vehicles need reversing lights, they need to be functional.
If you want to add aftermarket backup lights to your vehicle, it’s usually not too difficult and the switch is located somewhere on the dashboard. Backlights are an important safety feature in your car and are a must if you plan on driving on the road.
What if the backlights are always on? If your car’s backlights are always on, it’s really no different than not having any backlights at all. Interestingly, many of the issues that cause the backlights to stop working can also cause the backlights to stay on continuously. It’s the same as not being able to turn off your brake lights.
A wiring problem could mean that your bulbs don’t get constant power, and a faulty backup light switch could mean that the power won’t turn off when you put your car in reverse.
So if your backlights are on all the time, follow the same troubleshooting steps as if they won’t go off. That way you should be able to figure out what’s going on and fix the problem.