Backup lights not working - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

straight6chevyguy · 12-11-2018, 04:15 PM

I have a 1998 Chevrolet C1500 single cab long bed 4.3L v6 5speed Manual.
The backup lights have not worked since I got the truck a few months ago.

I have tested and there is NO voltage getting to the bulb sockets.

The Fuse IS good.

I'm thinking its a switch or bad wire connection at the switch or some place.

some input would be appreciated.

**Mr_Rich** · 12-11-2018, 05:03 PM

Two places to look; steering column or transmission. Look for a screw-in type unit on the trans with a plug connected to it. That's the likeliest culprit.
And I want to add it's much different than the VSS sensor.

sweetk30 · 12-11-2018, 05:43 PM

stick shift switch pics of the 2 offered here so you can know what to look for .

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...303344&jsn=476

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...303344&jsn=477

hope these pics help you find it and check it . lots of times i have seen the plunger ball get gummed up and just need some brake cleaner to clean it out and work .

straight6chevyguy · 12-11-2018, 08:02 PM

Thanks guys!
Tomorrow I will look at it if weather permits.

sntrym95 · 12-12-2018, 10:38 AM

Check the wiring in the back too, especially if a towing harness has been spliced in.

sweetk30 · 12-12-2018, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sntrym95

Check the wiring in the back too, especially if a towing harness has been spliced in.

forgot that one . but seen it a lot . even a aftermarket t-harness go bad and cause this .

straight6chevyguy · 01-02-2019, 05:56 PM

I'ts been awhile but finally today I got the truck up on the ramps.

Getting power on one pin on the connector & when I jump the 2 pins the backup lights come on.

Well I guess it's the switch!

Thanks again guys!

I just have to figure out which of the 2 switches is mine & get it ordered.

I'll let you know when I get'em working.

straight6chevyguy · 09-04-2022, 02:57 PM

So a few years later Im looking at this thread I started and realize that I never updated this!
So what happened was I got a new switch but lights still did not work.
New switch tested good.
With switch wires hot wired lights worked.
With Switch wires connected to switch and switch not in transmission, holding the switch in my hand
I push the contact on the switch with my thumb, the lights worked.

So I came to the conclusion that whatever it is in the transmission that makes contact with the switch
Is either broken or wore out.

So at this point I just said the heck with it and wired the lights up to a toggle switch in the dash that was no longer used that had been installed by the P.O.
Been running it this way since.

I plan on rebuilding or replacing my transmission in the near future so I will try to get the factory switch setup working then and will post an update if I do.

**special-K** · 09-05-2022, 08:37 AM

Thanks for the update. And now we know this can happen, which is really helpful

12-11-2018, 04:15 PM	#1
straight6chevyguy Registered User Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: yamhill OR Posts: 785	Backup lights not working I have a 1998 Chevrolet C1500 single cab long bed 4.3L v6 5speed Manual. The backup lights have not worked since I got the truck a few months ago. I have tested and there is NO voltage getting to the bulb sockets. The Fuse IS good. I'm thinking its a switch or bad wire connection at the switch or some place. some input would be appreciated.

12-11-2018, 05:03 PM	#2
Mr_Rich Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Santa Maria, Calif. Posts: 781	Re: Backup lights not working Two places to look; steering column or transmission. Look for a screw-in type unit on the trans with a plug connected to it. That's the likeliest culprit. And I want to add it's much different than the VSS sensor. __________________ 1989 K1500 Chev. EC Original owner; some of the aftermarket parts I've installed are Borla headers, Hypertech chip, Edelbrock water pump, and a Stillen rear disc brake conversion kit. 2009 Hummer H3T 3.7L 5M (sold) 1997 K2500 Chev. EC 7.4L/ 4L80E 2018 Dodge Ram 2500 HD R/C

12-11-2018, 05:43 PM	#3
sweetk30 Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: horseheads,ny rust belt Posts: 2,794	Re: Backup lights not working stick shift switch pics of the 2 offered here so you can know what to look for . https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...303344&jsn=476 https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...303344&jsn=477 hope these pics help you find it and check it . lots of times i have seen the plunger ball get gummed up and just need some brake cleaner to clean it out and work . __________________ 77-k30lb BIG truck build . 87-k30lb budget beater build . 85-k30lb the plow machine build . 85-c10sb summer fun toy . ----------------------------- HOLLEY SNIPER efi = worst case of p.i.t.a i ever had . EDELBROCK pro flo 4 = best deal going so far . love my setup works great.

12-11-2018, 08:02 PM	#4
straight6chevyguy Registered User Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: yamhill OR Posts: 785	Re: Backup lights not working Thanks guys! Tomorrow I will look at it if weather permits.

12-12-2018, 10:38 AM	#5
sntrym95 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Big Pine Key, FL Posts: 745	Re: Backup lights not working Check the wiring in the back too, especially if a towing harness has been spliced in. __________________ Mike

01-02-2019, 05:56 PM	#7
straight6chevyguy Registered User Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: yamhill OR Posts: 785	Re: Backup lights not working I'ts been awhile but finally today I got the truck up on the ramps. Getting power on one pin on the connector & when I jump the 2 pins the backup lights come on. Well I guess it's the switch! Thanks again guys! I just have to figure out which of the 2 switches is mine & get it ordered. I'll let you know when I get'em working. __________________ 1965 chevy c20 292 4speed http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=777601 1976 chevy c10 250 4speed http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=787037 1998 chevy c1500 4.3L 5speed (My current driver) 2002 Chevy s10 4.3L auto 4x4 1971 mercury monterey wagon 400 auto To many projects!

09-04-2022, 02:57 PM	#8
straight6chevyguy Registered User Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: yamhill OR Posts: 785	Re: Backup lights not working So a few years later Im looking at this thread I started and realize that I never updated this! So what happened was I got a new switch but lights still did not work. New switch tested good. With switch wires hot wired lights worked. With Switch wires connected to switch and switch not in transmission, holding the switch in my hand I push the contact on the switch with my thumb, the lights worked. So I came to the conclusion that whatever it is in the transmission that makes contact with the switch Is either broken or wore out. So at this point I just said the heck with it and wired the lights up to a toggle switch in the dash that was no longer used that had been installed by the P.O. Been running it this way since. I plan on rebuilding or replacing my transmission in the near future so I will try to get the factory switch setup working then and will post an update if I do. __________________ 1965 chevy c20 292 4speed http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=777601 1976 chevy c10 250 4speed http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=787037 1998 chevy c1500 4.3L 5speed (My current driver) 2002 Chevy s10 4.3L auto 4x4 1971 mercury monterey wagon 400 auto To many projects!

09-05-2022, 08:37 AM	#9
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,863	Re: Backup lights not working Thanks for the update. And now we know this can happen, which is really helpful __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~



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