back-up lights - '68 4spd barracuda

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Dave NEO

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getting around to looking into these non-functioning lights - bulbs are good and sockets and grounding llooks good. Single purple wire to each - I suppose first check again to see if any power in the wires when in reverse with ign.sw. on? I don't think I have ever messed with this circuit on any car so any troubleshooting tips appreciated. I did replace the turn signal switch in the steering wheel and rewired all as it was last year. I don't think the back ups were working before that.
 
I would start at the switch on the transmission. Pull off the connector, turn the key to "run" and see if you have power at one of the posts. With the gearbox in reverse, check with an ohmeter to see if the switch is closed.

The wiring path from the switch to the lamps is

up the firewall, through the bulkhead connector, down to the left kick panel connector and back to the rear sockets. So there is two connectors could be no connection. don't discount bad bulbs
 
thanks - new to me stuff. will try to get under tomorrow..
 
pic from a thread last year -see arrow
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- do you know if this is the connector that is going from the bulkhead to the trans for backup lights?
 
I think so, 2 purple/violet wires? One has a tracer? So solid one would be hot at switch on if everything between switch and this connector is good. Then with trans in reverse/trans mounted switch closed, wire with tracer will be hot also.
 
OK here is a pic of my car - does this appear to be the (empty) connector for the harness to the trans for the reverse lights? thnks much
bkup.jpg
 
found a 2 prong switch near rear of trans similar to this one that had nothing connected to it. Do I just need a harness to connect this switch to the one in the firewall as noted in the earlier post? thanks for any insight. thing was wet . will this drain trans if removed to replace?
switch.jpg
 
no, will have to find one. so yes, all I need is connecting harness and yes it will leak trans if I remove to replace? appreciate your help
 
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That above goes inside the car. That connects the instrument harness backup connector (it's there as I mentioned earlier) and connects up to the bulkhead. You would still need the wiring that goes from the engine bay side of the harness down to the gearbox.
 
inside car wiring is in place - I think I harness above is right for what is missing - description says "connects the bulkhead to the transmission backup switch" so we'll give it a try - thanks for your help.
 
Yep, both violet from bulkhead to the trans. 12v+ feed is from the radio connector on white to connector D at the bulkhead. Then on the engine side through violet and the trans switch back to bulkhead C and on to term 6 in the rear body harness.
 
Just to follow up: harness worked A-OK - the other wiring was in place and lights are now working as they should. Nice to have those lit, they look good. I can see maybe why PO did not bother replacing this - seems you'd melt or tear up this section of harness real quick if plug to switch on trans. had a habit of coming loose and dangling in wrong places - maybe some RTV Silicone sealant to better secure plug or safety wire it one way or another..?
2.jpg
 
The factory routed it through a couple of straps. Along right side top of trans and looped over to left. If the plug did come off it just dangled right there.
 
thanks very much- was sorta lookin' for that on the left side..duh Maybe I can find these, it will help.
 
thanks very much- was sorta lookin' for that on the left side..duh Maybe I can find these, it will help.
I saw a pic here within the past couple days of a automatic trans that still had the wiring on it, routed through the straps. Must have been a for sale posting. Manual trans would have been about the same. Auto mfgrs never provided a bit of extra wire length anywhere. So if a wire runs long... it must be routed wrong.
These 2 wires are in the far left connector that most refer to as "wiper connector". So they were long enough to route across the firewall to right of center, then down. That's what they had to do to stay clear of moving linkages and such.
 
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