Reverse lights not working - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Muddassir · 06-13-2006, 09:12 PM

1992 Camry
Reverse lights are not working. I need the solution before morning, as I need to get my safety passed.

Any ideas?

hiace24 · 06-13-2006, 09:17 PM

Could be the switch in the gearbox, fuse, bad wiring

MrJones · 06-13-2006, 09:25 PM

bulbs might not be functional? but mostly the fuse might be loose

Muddassir · 06-13-2006, 09:35 PM

Well, if there would be a problem with bulbs, then most probably only one of them would have problem. I hope it is only fuse thing. Dont want to play with gear box to check the connection. By the way Hiace24, is it easy process to repair switch in gearbox?

***toyomoho*** · 06-13-2006, 09:45 PM

Check in this order.

"GAUGE" fuse. Fuse box located inside car, drivers side, below dash.
Ignition switch. Check for power at GAUGE fuse, ignition on.
Wiring harness
Bulb(s)

There is also a backup light switch on both manual and A/T. The A/T switch is located near the Park/Neutral position switch. You should be able to see it easily. Follow the shift cable down to the trans. The manual switch should also be visable, I think it is on front of the transmission. You can check this switch with volt or ohm meter.

tarbasd · 06-13-2006, 10:19 PM

When mine didn't work it was the backup switch. It is also called the neutral switch and the Toyomoho correctly describes where it is. It is an easy job to replace it although it is pretty expensive.

However you may only need to clean the inside of it. This is what happened to me: I repleced mine, then took apart the broken one from curiosity and I found that it only needed cleaning of the inside. The old lubricant transformed to a gum like material that insulated the posts. After I cleaned out the gum and relubricated it, it worked (according to my multimeter).

Muddassir · 06-13-2006, 10:24 PM

I checked the Gauge fuse, infact all fuses. They are all fine. Bulbs are fine too.

I still can't figure out what backup switch are you talking about, how can I actually see it? Do I have to remove the gear stick? (I have automatic)

Muddassir · 06-13-2006, 11:31 PM

I tried opening the covers around the gear lever. But the wire for AUTO/POWER button didn't let me open it up fully. Am I going in right direction?

I took some pictures too.. Please help

Muddassir · 06-13-2006, 11:39 PM

islandboy57 · 06-14-2006, 12:33 AM

Reverse neutral safety switch? That went out on my mom's gen 3.5. The "R" indicator on the dash would not light up either, and when it did, the reverse lights also went on. Does your indicator light up?

Muddassir · 06-14-2006, 04:56 AM

yes, it does

Muddassir · 06-14-2006, 06:02 AM

This is Neutral safety switch.

Is it the same as backup light switch? Do I have to remove the entire unit to clean it up?

tarbasd · 06-14-2006, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muddassir

Is it the same as backup light switch? Do I have to remove the entire unit to clean it up?

Yes, it is the same and you got the correct picture. It is in the engine compartment, not at the gear shift.

Yes, you have to remove the unit to clean it and you have to OPEN the unit to clean the INTERIOR if it is broken. Cleaning it extrenally will definitely not help. But the removal of the unit is relatively easy. It was my first DIY job on my car ever.

However, if the "R" indicator does come on then your problem may be something else. What I suggest is the following: start the car, put it to reverse. It the "R" comes on, then have somebody to check the light (or you can set the parking brake and check yourself if you dare). When mine broke, it sometimes still worked so maybe when your "R" comes on, your lights work, too.

Fix it as soon as you can, because the same switch is responsible for blocking ignition when the car is not in P or N. So if the switch stops working alltogether, then you are not going to be able to start the car.

dna59 · 06-14-2006, 03:04 PM

Don't the gen3s have a problem w/ the reverse light not working due to the wire being cut by the trunk hinge. That was my problem when I had my '93 LE. I just connected back the wires and it was good to go.

Muddassir · 06-14-2006, 07:24 PM

Where exactly did you see the wire cut dna?

and Tarbasd, 'R' does come on, and I dared that stuff already and the reverse lights didn't come on.

Well, I just got my ignition cylinder replaced. It was locking the steering and wasn't starting the car. I had to tow it. The car can now start. Is that the exact problem you think is?

What do you suggest the problem might be?