reverse lights come but no tail lights. What is the problem?

[tonysmach]

When I turn on lights, reverse lights come on but not tail lights. Makes no sense to me. Car is in park. Why would backup lights come on?
1. light bulbs are good.
2. fuses are good
3. New GM NOS headlamp switch in dash
4. Front lights all work fine including turn signals.
5. New turn signal flasher
6. Wires all look good under dash

Can someone tell me about the "switch" in the steering column? Could this be the problem? What is the next item to test? Really need some help.
Thanks.

 

[Red Regal T]

I remember I did change that switch in the column some years back. Couldn't find any other problem why my tailites weren't working so that was the culprit.

 

[tonysmach]

where can I get that switch? Anyone have a part # and instructions.

 

[aminga]

Before you go replacing the switch do a few more tests.

Does the 3rd light come on?

Does the brake light operation depend on steering wheel position (tilt wheel). For example does it work with it up and not down.

There's a white wire that feeds the brake lights from the combination switch. It fatigues and breaks. You might try jumpering that and see if they work. If so just repair the white wire.

 

[tonysmach]

The 3rd light does come on when I press on the brakes.
I will test the steering wheel position.

What is the combination switch? I see several white wires under the dash but not sure which one you are referring to. thanks for the help. a picture would be great.

 

[aminga]

The 3rd light does come on when I press on the brakes.
I will test the steering wheel position.

What is the combination switch? I see several white wires under the dash but not sure which one you are referring to. thanks for the help. a picture would be great.

Combination switch = turn signal switch.

I don't have pics But this wire will come down the column and connect to a flat connector at the base of the column.

 

[tonysmach]

Before you go replacing the switch do a few more tests.

Does the 3rd light come on?

Does the brake light operation depend on steering wheel position (tilt wheel). For example does it work with it up and not down.

There's a white wire that feeds the brake lights from the combination switch. It fatigues and breaks. You might try jumpering that and see if they work. If so just repair the white wire.

No change with changing steering wheel position. I looked under dash and still don't know which white wire you are referring to. can anyone take a picture. It is my reverse lights that come on when I put the lights on. Only DS brake lithts come on. what could it be? this is crazy!!

 

[tonysmach]

New info. When I place the car in reverse, the reverse lights go on like they should. Then when I turn my lights on (car still in reverse) my tail lights go on. Then if I place my car in park or drive the tail lights go off. Is this the P/N switch. Do I need a new one? How do I replace it? thanks for help.

 

[aminga]

When you say Tail Lights do you mean brake lights or running lights.

 

[tonysmach]

When you say Tail Lights do you mean brake lights or running lights.

I mean running lights. The running lights do not go on when I hit the light switch in the dash but the reverse lights do turn on. I place the car in reverse and the running lights go on (reverse lights stay on). When I place car in drive or back to park the running lights turn off.

 

[aminga]

I mean running lights. The running lights do not go on when I hit the light switch in the dash but the reverse lights do turn on. I place the car in reverse and the running lights go on (reverse lights stay on). When I place car in drive or back to park the running lights turn off.

Then forget everything I just said. Applies to the brake lights.

SOunds for all the world like a ground.

 

[tonysmach]

However, when I adjust the P/N switch, move several clicks to the left then my running lights will not come on when I place the car in reverse. So there has to be something with this P/N switch. could it be a bad switch?

 

[tonysmach]

Where do I start to look for the ground wire? Why does the running lights come on when I put in reverse after adjusting the P/n switch several clicks but the running lights won't come on when I use the Headlamp/parking switch (brand new GM switch). Also, the running lights will come on when I turn the key on without having the headlamp/parking switch on (when I have the P/N switch moved several clicks in one direction). Man am I frustrated with this. I have a beautiful car and can't drive it!!!!

 

[Red Regal T]

It's probably the switch in the steering column. If you decide to try that, it's readily available at most auto-parts stores for about $25. You need to take off the steering wheel and the plate underneath the SW. The switch unplugs down the column. Before you pull it out, attach a wire or something to it and pull it up and out. Then attach the new plug to the fishwire and pull the new plug down your steering column to reconnect.

 

[tonysmach]

It's probably the switch in the steering column. If you decide to try that, it's readily available at most auto-parts stores for about $25. You need to take off the steering wheel and the plate underneath the SW. The switch unplugs down the column. Before you pull it out, attach a wire or something to it and pull it up and out. Then attach the new plug to the fishwire and pull the new plug down your steering column to reconnect.

Are you talking about the "half moon" shaped switch that sits on top of the column? I was able to get that off without taking the column out. should I not been able to do that?

 

[TurboBuRick]

I mean running lights. The running lights do not go on when I hit the light switch in the dash but the reverse lights do turn on. I place the car in reverse and the running lights go on (reverse lights stay on). When I place car in drive or back to park the running lights turn off.

Not sure if its possible but that sure does sound like the bulbs are in the wrong holes. Or somewhere those circuits are flopped.

Has anything been messed with in the back of the car lately? Wires? Lights?

 

[Red Regal T]

Are you talking about the "half moon" shaped switch that sits on top of the column? I was able to get that off without taking the column out. should I not been able to do that?

I'm not following you. To access the switch, you must remove the steering wheel, not the column, and under that is a plate retained by a spring clip. Remove the clip and under that is the turn signal switch held in place by three screws. You may need to purchase a tool to force that plate down so you can remove the clip. That tool is also available at most parts stores for about $10. The harness wiring extends down the column. Don't pull it out unless you attach a fishwire you need for installing the new switch.



.

 

[Red Regal T]

Not sure if its possible but that sure does sound like the bulbs are in the wrong holes. Or somewhere those circuits are flopped.

Has anything been messed with in the back of the car lately? Wires? Lights?

Usually, when things don't make sense concerning the taillites, it's the turn signal switch. :smile:

 

[TurboBuRick]

Usually, when things don't make sense concerning the taillites, it's the turn signal switch. :smile:

I do agree but the reverse lights do not go through the signal light switch.

 

[Roger]

From your posts, I believe the turn signal switch NOT to be your issue - If brake & turn lights work as an earlier post, you mentioned tail light issues.

If the tail lights are the issue, most likely a wire has opened somewhere between the light switch & the tail lights. Another possibility would be the light switch itself. Do any of your running lights work (front or rear)? If fronts work, most likely you have a wiring issue.