Back-up lights don't work when transmission in reverse. checked fuse and replaced both bulbs. any ideas?

Check if you are getting power to the reverse light switch. Turn ignition on, disconect terminals to the switch and check for power on the positive terminal using a light bulb or a test meter whatever. If power is there jumpthe 2 terminals and check if light backup light works. If it does replace switch. If ther is no power at switch check wiring from fuse box. If light does not work when switch is jumped check wiring to back.

Hello! If the transmission is a standard there is a "back up switch"with the wire colors Pink and Light Green which closes in reverse and applies battery (12 volts) to the lights...If, however, the car has an automatic transmission there is a switch (park neutral) same wire colors that when placed in reverse applies battery to the lights...Either one of the switches is defective...see photos below...Guru...saailer



STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS Part # LS224...cost=$20..(standard)



Park neutral sw. AIRTEX / WELLS Part # 1S5108...cost $70






I’m happy to help further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/david_6df67de3b14de867

It may be a bad back-up light switch on the transmission. Look for a two-wire connector on the transmission or transaxle, although it may be included in a wiring harness for the transaxle. If you find the two wires for the reverse light switch, you can jumper the two wires together, and with key on, the reverse lights should be on, verifying a bad reverse light switch. Screw it out and replace. But if still no lights, there may be a wiring break or a wiring problem going to the lights.
Good luck.

is this car an automatic transmission? if it is then you will need to check the gear selector switch on the transmission. I have seen one that would not properly engage for the park/neutral and reverse switches to function but the car was still drivable.

The reverse light switch is a mechanical device used to control operation of the vehicle reverse lights. The switch is designed to complete the circuit when reverse gear is selected allowing reverse light operation (manual transmission only).

You will need to either replace or adjust your backup switch, it is located on the transmission next to the shifter. Hope this helps, thank you for using FixYa!

There is a switch on the transmission with two wires on it. It is the reverse light switch. When the two wires are bridged together with the key on the reverse lights should work if the switch itself is defective. It is quite easy to replace, it just unscrews from the transmission if it is a stick shift, if it is an automatic transmission the switch I believe is part of the inhibitor switch and is more costly and difficult to replace.

hello, the back up lights are usually on the same fuse as the tail lights so if they are working it's not a fuse, if the tail lights are not working replace the tail fuse. Otherwise the problem is most the backup light switch, on the manual transmission it's a separate switch located on the transmission on an automatic it is incorporated into the neutral start switch also located on the transmission but on the shaft where the shift selector attaches.

On the side of your transmission will be a switch with several wires coming out of it. This is your reverse switch that turns on your reverse lights and most likely needs to be replaced

If this is a manual trans replace the reverse light switch on the transmission, if it is an auto replace the range selector switch on the transmission.