Backup lights stopped working

My guess is the wires have come off the backup light switch on the transmission or said switch has failed.

I just love funny US terminology. I wondered what it was 'til I realised it was the reversing light.

I expect there's a switch on the gearbox that may be the problem.

Graham

I was afraid of that after I posted. Is it a difficult fix?

It's not on the gearbox, the switch is on the side of the gear lever casing. And it's very unlikely that the wires have come off. Either the switch has failed, or the plunger has worn down.

You can access it by removing the centre console. The procedure for doing this has been written up here a few times before. If it's your first time, allow 2-3 hours.

I'm afraid I can't help you there.

I'd hope it shouldn't be too tricky though. Depends where the switch is located really.

Graham

...and to us the term "reversing" light is odd.

You do have the letter 'R' on the lever though ?

Graham

It's possible that the wire has come loose (or become corroded) at the wiring harness on the right rear light cluster. I had this problem with my brake lights.

John

Really? I could swear I saw it down there on the side of the gearbox, but then maybe I'm just remembering wrong. I know my Volvos have it on the gearbox, in a very difficult place to reach it too.

I've never seen it on the gearbox, but that doesn't mean it never was. Certainly on all the 900s I've owned (about a dozen, ranging from

1981-1993) it was on the gearshift housing.

Yes, we call that "reverse", not "reversing".

2-3 hours, eh? Yikes. I'll have to run to the parts store and see if they have the switch. I'll do a search for the center console procedure.

That would be the 5th gear switch, which turns off the "Shift Up" light on US market cars?

Would a messup at that wiring harness at the rear light cluster cause a failure of the front [side] reversing lights?