my reverse lights are not working either. I used a test light and have powerat both wires coming into the bulb even when not in reverse. Any ideas on where I should start I am assuming there should not be power at both terminals without the car in reverse. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I checked the fuse #22 it was fine and both bulbs are fine.

 

I'm assumingthe reverse lights are always on? Manual or auto trans?

 

actually they won,t go on. sounds weird I know but bulb filament is intact. Auto transmission. going to try and change the bulbs and see but am I correct in assuming there should not be power until car is put in reverse?

 

I believe that power always on is correct. If not then you would havelightsalways on now as a circuit will have been completed. The reverse switch should ground the circuit and that actuates the lights. You should check out your park/neutral position switch. That's where the reverse light switch is. It mayjust need adjustment or you have a broekn wire. Try putting the shift lever in R then wiggling it while someone looks in the rear for the reverse lights to come on.

Edit: I had a chance to look at my electrical manual. Power goes through the park/neutral switch and the bulbs are grounded to the chassis in the rear, at least on my 95.Only way it seems for power to be always on is if park/neutral switch is faulty. The fact that you always have power to bulb but lights won't work would be bad ground or wrong/bad bulb. I think you need to solve the bulb not on first, then tackle the park/neutral switch.

 

I replaced the bulbs still nothing. Where is the reverse parking switch located? I am stumped. Any help greatly appreciated.

 

Check the wiring in the trunk where it jumps from the chassis to the trunk lid, often it becomes damaged in this area.

 

it might not be your lights at all. On my 94, the lights don't come on when i go into reverse because the sensor doesn't realize the cars in reverse. When you Put it in reverse, does the R on your dash light up? I have to wiggle the shifter to get that light to come on, and then the reverse lights come on.

 

I also have this problem. Occasionally the R light on the dash will come on when the shifter (automatic) is wiggled. When the R is on, then the reverse lights come on.

Also don't have D or N lighting up. Though sometimes I have N come on at the same sort of time as the R (ie, when the R is in a working mood, then the N generally is too)

How do I get to the shift sensor... ? Is it difficult and should I get a haynes manual so that I can do the work?

Is it a job for a handy guy, or a garage?

Dave