No reverse lights?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

KansasRam1997

Junior Member
Joined
Nov 24, 2015
Posts
25
Reaction score
6
Location
Lawrence, KS
Ram Year
1997
Engine
5.9L 360 Magnum
I was out camping the other day and my buddy pointed out that I don't have reverse lights at all. Where are some places to check? I know little about the electrics in cars


Thanks guys!
 

sbarron

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2015
Posts
3,362
Reaction score
2,276
Location
Wasilla, Alaska
Ram Year
2013
Engine
5.7 HEMI
If BOTH are out, it's unlikely to be the bulbs, though that would be an easy thing to check. If not the bulbs, check places that are common to both sides, i.e. Fuses, reverse light switch, etc.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

NorDakRAM

Junior Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2017
Posts
1
Reaction score
0
Ram Year
1996
Engine
5.2L
I don't have reverse lights either and it's the fuse. Transmission shop pinched a wire when installing a rebuilt a few years ago so it shorts out the fuse when putting in backup gear.
 

TJ0515

Junior Member
Joined
Dec 15, 2017
Posts
1
Reaction score
0
Location
Kentucky
Ram Year
1996
Engine
5.2L V8
I am having issues with my revers lights as well. I have changed the bulbs and I just changed the revers light switch on the transmission...
I don't know how to diagnose from here..
 

Triple Black

Junior Member
Joined
Nov 28, 2016
Posts
20
Reaction score
6
Location
Atlanta, GA
Ram Year
2002
Engine
5.9L V8
Looking at the 2001 Ram manual, the backup lights gets power from Fuse #7 on the fuse box on the side of the dash. It's a 10 amp fuse. Power then goes to the Neutral Switch (for A/T) or the back-up lamp switch (M/T) located on the driver side of the transmission. One of the leads is hot with the key-on. When the switch is closed, power goes to the power distribution center (PDC) via pin 9 on the joint connector on the PDC under the hood and out pin 10 to each backup lamp via connector C129, which is located on the driver side near the forward cab mount. Then power goes through the bulb and back to ground G100. This ground is located near to the battery. There's also a splice in the harness for the trailer tow connector.

So, with the key on, parking brake on, engine off, transmission in reverse, and the truck on jacks:

  1. Check the fuse #7 by the dash and both bulbs with an OHMs meter.
  2. Unplug the lead to the transmission switch and then make sure one lead has 12 volts (give or take)
  3. Check the switch with an OHMs meter. It should be closed when the truck is in reverse. Take it out of reverse to make sure it's opened. Then put it back in reverse to mores tests.
  4. Plug the switch back in.
  5. Unplug connector 129 (C129). Check that pin 11 has 12v. If Pin 11 on c129 has power, reconnect C129, skip step 6 and proceed to Step 7.
  6. Check that both pin 9 and pin 10 on the PDC has 12v with the volt meter. Pin 11 is a feed that powers the Automatic Day/Night mirror you can check that one too. Mind you, checking the joint connector isn't exactly easy to do. However, if #9 is hot and #10 is not hot, your day just went in the crapper.
  7. On the bulb plug, check that pin 2 has 12v and pin 1 goes to ground.
  8. Check the ground G100 near the battery
That's the front to rear troubleshooting steps. Here's some pics:

8w-51.png c129.png dash_fuse_panel.png g100.png pdc.png
 
Last edited:

jonathanl1995

Junior Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2019
Posts
1
Reaction score
0
Location
gardner kansas
Ram Year
1995
Engine
5.2 318
having a similar problem I found the problem, I need a connection from drivers side taillight harness to the trailer light connection , I cant find one if someone know where to find one , that would be much appreciated
 
Top