Back up lights doesn't work

Tiny
HENRYNJO
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 144 MILES
Manual Trans.I purchase a brand new back up lights and replaced the new one and still doesn't work. I checked under the dash board from the fuse box and there are no fuse for it. Also checked under the hood for the fuse and no fuse's for it too. A few months ago I had someone worked and replaced the manual shifting cable and the mechanic tech had to take out the center console to get to the manual cable under the shifting gear, Could it be something under the center console that was missed?
Thank you,
Henry
Saturday, June 30th, 2012 AT 9:01 AM

24 Replies

Tiny
RACEFAN966
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,029 POSTS
Sounds like the back up light switch may have gotten unplugged. It is on the left side near the rear of the transmission.
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+2
Saturday, June 30th, 2012 AT 2:17 PM
Tiny
CMHEFNER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 83,000 MILES
All my back lights wont work includeing turning signals, backup lights and brake lights but the third light works ontop of my trunk. I had it inspected awhile ago and thats when I found out and the mechanic push on either my bumper or the trunk I cant remember and they came on but as soon as he let go they went of. Please help?
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 1:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
If pushing on the area makes them work again then there is obviously a loose connection there. You will need to inspect the wiring and connectors at the rear taillamp assemblies.
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 1:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CMHEFNER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Do I need to take the light out or do I look in the trunk behind them.
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 1:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
Should be able to see the wiring in trunk, maybe under carpeting, without removing the lamp assembly.
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 1:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KARNDT_67
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
I have a 2003 cavalier that the reverse lights quit working. They will come on once in a while. It is a 5 speed. The fuse is good, and the bulbs are good. Could a wire be loose? And if so where would I look?
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 1:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DPWD23
  • MECHANIC
  • 136 POSTS
Check the "neutral start switch" for proper operation. I believe this year, it also operates the reverse lights. Also have your linkage cable(s) adjusted properly
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-1
Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 1:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PBG4LIFE1
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 2002 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 100,433 MILES
I have a 2002 chevy cavalier z 24 and I cant get the reverse lights to work I checked the fuse and the bulbs the brake ligt about it comes on but no reverse lights?
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 1:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CADIEMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,544 POSTS
Turn on the key cycle the prindle to see if they blink on. The reverse lights run off the neutral switch. Its wereyoull see it under the shift cable their are 2 13mm screws holding it the shift cable hooks to the transaxle. Key on and shift to rev. Then lossen the bolts and turn it l and r when you see the reverse lights come on tighten the switch. If no youll have to replace the neutral switch.
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 1:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PROTECH1980
  • MEMBER
  • 901 POSTS
Hey Cadie man, just wanted to chime in, this is a manual trans so there will be a back up switch located on the trans that would be suspect if no power is arriving at socket and fuse is good, you will have to check and test backup switch
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 1:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CADIEMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,544 POSTS
Make sure the car starts in park and neutral and the rev. Lights work when done.
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 1:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CADIEMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,544 POSTS
If the turnsignals work the switch is bad or open harness. My answer is for a automatic where pro is for manual
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 1:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PBG4LIFE1
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Can u get to the switch by removing the center console?
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 1:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
With my Jeeps, the darn connectors will come off of the Back-up light switch. From bouncing around. Yours could have done the same!

To verify if you got a bad B/ U light switch on your manual tranny

Remove the connector to the back-up switch, then jump across the connectors 2 contacts (paper clip, etc)

Then turning your key to the "ON" position, will FOOL your system into thinking the switch was turned on by the Gear Shift

If your Back-Up lights do come on, You most likely have a Bad Switch (or something in the tranny ain't activating the switch.

I would sling you a Picture or Diagram of exactly where the switch is located, but I am unable to locate one on the On-line Repair manual, I have access to.

Let us know the deal, or even if you get bogged down, and something else may be wrong

BE SAFE, CARS ARE HEAVY, DON'T BECOME A STATISTIC!

The Medic
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 1:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
BESTUS I COULD DO!!!

LEFT REAR OF TRANNY

DO WHAT YOU GOTTA DO!

I USED TO STRADDLE DITCHES TO CHANGE MY OIL WHEN I CHANGED MY OIL, WHEN I WAS IN THE ARMY!!!

HERE'S WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/2002-Chevrolet-Cavalier/Back-Up-Light-Switch/_/N-jh4qqZ9cio2?filterByKeyWord=BACK+UP+LAMP+SWITCH&fromString=search

THIS IS HOW IT SHOULD LOOK UNDER THERE...BEST PIC AVAILABLE TO ME!

I DONE GOOD SO FAR???....SEE-UNS....HOW I AIN'T NEVER BEEN UNDER A CAVALIER'S HOOD IN MY LIFE!...........HUH?

THE MEDIC
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 1:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CADIEMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,544 POSTS
If it is a automatic refer to my first answer. If its a stick there is a switch on the transmission like protech said. Any parts store will sell it to you. They show where it goes thru diagrams.
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 1:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
USMC1371
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 2.2L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 237,569 MILES
I bought the car and it all work but I knew the battery need to be replaced so after I replaced it the my back lights wouldn't turn on as well as the dash light wouldn't come on but the symbols light up and the meters work but can't see them. I've tried to disconnect the battery, replaces the fuses but still nothing. I'd if the cluster is bad or something more.
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 1:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
WE WERE JUST SORTA GOING BY THE INFORMATION AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE!

MAYBE WE SCARED 'EM OFF!

Pbg4life1, YOU GOT THAT THING FIGURED OUT YET?

WE'RE DYING FOR A RESPONSE!

ANSWERING WITHOUT AN OUTCOME. IS LIKE MISSING A SOAP OPERA EPISODE TO US!

THE MEDIC
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 1:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
Have you checked the main fuses under the hood? Are you certain that the ground from the new battery is tight, clean, making good contact, and is properly installed. Some of these vehicles had a small ground off the main one which ran to the inner fender to provide a better body ground.

Also, I need to know if by back lights, you are referring to the rear of the vehicle. For example, brakes, turn signals, parking lights.
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 1:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PBG4LIFE1
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thank you I got it it was the switch. But also my motors are out of my windows are the fairly easy to replace?
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 1:31 PM (Merged)

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