MAGNUM S/T
Dodge Dakota
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6/05/2003
15:41:26
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 Subject: No back-up lights - resolved!!
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Message:
Short history: I have been without back-up lights for about 1 year now. After checking the fuses, and bulbs, and receiving no information from the forums...I simply got used to it.
Recently: I went to get my 99 5-speed Dak inspected and they finally busted me on not having reverse lights operational...so I had to do something.
Resolution: The "reverse light switch" is what provides the signal (by completing a circuit), and hence makes the reverse lights go on. Mine was located near the tip of the tranny, just below where the shifter is. The switch itself simply screws into the tranny and is 'octa, hexa or penta-gonal' so you can use an adjustable wrench to remove it. It has two wires which run to a two prong connector, which connects it to the rest of the wiring harness. Same harness that the O2 sensor leads to.
Anyway, I took my Multimeter and did continuity checks in the following manner: (Note: When the two meter prongs touch, it read (0), when apart it read (1)) Based on this, the first thing I wanted to determine is whether my switch worked.
1. I removed the switch. At the very end is a retractable ball, which can be pushed in...essentially the switch has only two positions. When the switch was left in the OUT position, I got a read of (1)...indicating the normal position is an open circuit. When I pushed the ball in, the reading went to (0)..indicating closed position AND indicating the SWITCH works.
2. I screwed the switch back in and use the meter again...only this time once with the truck in reverse (0), and out of reverse (1)..Well, this means the tranny and switch are working together correctly (I've read that in rare instances, the parts wear slightly, so that the switch isn't pushed in all the way. If I had failed this 2nd test, I would have removed the washer which surrounds the switch and reinstall it. This would essentially sit the switch slightly deeper, and in some cases has resolved the problem)
3. The only thing left was to check the harness end of the connector. I cheated by splicing the wire just above the connector and connecting to the switch...then doing the continuity check. Bingo, turns out one side of the connector kept bouncing from 1 to zero (I did this check while keeping the truck in reverse) I took a good look at the connector and it 'appeared' ok, but I did my best to clean it out using 'wire dryer' spray. then I added a very small amount of conductive gel (the stuff you put on your spark plug connectors). My theory being that the surface of the connector my be oxidized slightly, so a conductive gel on the surface would enhance the connections. If I had used gobs of it, it may have formed a connection to the other side of the connector...hence I used a very small amount just to coat the surface.
Finally, I soldered some additional wire to the end (there is not much wire to play with...so I added some wiggle room) I then soldered the connector with extended wire back to the harness, amking sure I didn't reverse the wires. NOTE: I SOLDERED THIS LAYING ON MY BACK LOOKING UP AT THE CONNECTIONS...VERY TRICKY ;-) I obviously wore goggle during this and tried not to dri any solder on myself...I didn't want to take a chance with a twist type of connection.
This did the trick! I now have reverse lights for the first time in over a year!
One other note. When I first took a look at the switch, I noticed the connector was in fact disconnected. I believe this happened when I had my Centerforce Clutch installed...and they simply didn't connect it...or connected it poorly. I was initially happy thinking all I needed to do was reconnect. That alone did not fix it, hence I did the steps above.
Theory: Driving for about 1 year with the connector blowing in the wind, rain snow and salt probably fouled the surfaces quite a bit....hence I had to do a little more to get the connection.
I hope this thread helps someone out there....cause I know I gave up hope after posting my problem and receiving very little responses. As a side note, the reverse light switch could be purchased for my dak at the dealer for a mear $87!! Hence, this little job saved me some doh.
Later all
Kevin
http://webpages.charter.net/khoegen
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RE: No back-up lights - resolved!!