reverse bulb trouble

[bob07]

i replaced my reverse light in my tailight cluster because it was burnt out but after the new bulb was in i tested it and still didnt work. i tried another bulb and still no. all the other bulbs in the tailight cluster work besides the reverse. what could be the cause of this?

[Nighthawk243]

Check your wiring.

[rixGAphx]

Aren't there two bulbs??
Does the other one work?
* If neither works, then the problem is prolly at the switch in the tranny, or a fuse in a related circuit (there's no separate circuit for 'back-up lights').
* If the other one works, then the problem is prolly the socket itself; water gets in side and corrodes stuff. Inspect and clean/replace.

Good luck,
-Rick

[bob07]

the problem must be the switch in the tranny. how do i fix that?

[beavercountyemt]

first thing first pull apart the part that the light plugs into. I'm willing to bet that the the metal inside is rusted all to hell. Happend to me a few times now. Go to Gm and get a new one if that's it. It was only about 10 bucks mor for a new one as opposed to a junk one. The weatherstripping in the housing sucks.

[Nainer]

I agree with beavercountyemt!!

[Mwindsor82]

Originally posted by beavercountyemt
first thing first pull apart the part that the light plugs into. I'm willing to bet that the the metal inside is rusted all to hell. Happend to me a few times now. Go to Gm and get a new one if that's it. It was only about 10 bucks mor for a new one as opposed to a junk one. The weatherstripping in the housing sucks.

I just shoved a piece of tinfoil in there... to act as a conductor... fixed my problem.

[tenspeed]

Originally posted by Mwindsor82
I just shoved a piece of tinfoil in there... to act as a conductor... fixed my problem.

I would carefully place a small piece of tin foil "in there" to replace the missing contact point (if needed).

Expect to be replacing fuses if the foil shorts across two conductors.

[bob07]

Originally posted by tenspeed
I would carefully place a small piece of tin foil "in there" to replace the missing contact point (if needed).

Expect to be replacing fuses if the foil shorts across two conductors. could you give me a better explanation on how to do it (not that what you said isnt understandable) but mine is rusted out too and i dont want to blow fuses. thanks

[tenspeed]

Originally posted by bob07
could you give me a better explanation on how to do it (not that what you said isnt understandable) but mine is rusted out too and i dont want to blow fuses. thanks

I've never had a problem with my tails. MWindsor said to stick a wad of tin foil in there and some people will try it. If the tin foil gets across two conductors, you blow a fuse.

If I did have to make a repair, I would take it apart and solder in new copper to jumper the rot. It would also cover everything with non-conductive grease to prevent any future corrosion.