The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Backup light switch

I recently swapped out a 3 spd column to a suto column and I noticed that there was a reverse light switch on the column but not wires going to it. I looked around and could not find anything. Can anyone tell me where else under the dash to look or how to wire one up?

Thanks

I assume you swapped out the 3 spd column with an "auto" column because you went with an auto trans? Are you sure it is a reverse switch? Is it possible that it is a "neutral" switch?

Assuming it is a reverse switch and that it is functional (i.e. the switch closes when you are in reverse) then wiring is relatively simple. I'd get power either from an ignition or continuous source, run it through a fuse (5A), then to the reverse switch, and from there, to your reverse lights which need to be grounded properly. When the switch is closed, the circuit is complete and your back-up lights illuminate.

Yes it was a 3sp to a auto. Where is the reverse switch located?

thanks

What year is your truck? My 1st series '55 did not come with reverse lights and I don't know when GM started using back-up lights as standard equipment. It is possible the switch you have is a neutral/park safety switch.

You can check this out with an ohmeter...check resistance across the terminals with the shifter in neutral and park. If you get 0 resistance in these two positions, then you have a safety/neutral switch. If you get zero resistance when the shifter is in reverse, then you have a reverse switch.

Cmon guys. Let's make it simple. What you need is an adjustable backup light like mine. Then when your headlights don't shine bright enough in front of you, you simply turn the backup light 180* and it becomes a 3rd head light or cooler yet if you sense something crawling around in the bushes, you turn it sideways facing the neighbors yard, etc. Notice my backup light switch is thumb activated.

http://community.webshots.com/photo/97772002/99419189SiosXq

cheers

Ooh, yeah! Way to go, man. But WHERE can I get me one???

You're right SoTxBoTi ... my 54 didn't have backups either, so I put a pair of 1947 - 1953 Chevy pickup parking lights in the back of my truck with a toggle switch to turn 'em on and off :
[img]http://AlanHorvath.com/54chevy/chevypics/backup8.jpg[/img]

You can view my entire install Here

Alan,
Nice truck. I like your set up. At times when I'm going in reverse while shinning my spotlight in my neighbor's windows or bushes, I have a need for light shinning in the back so I don't backup over a newspaper boy on his bike....

Anyway, did you install a small indicator light on your dash letting you know that you when your backups are on (similar to a high beam indicator)? But I guess during daylight, those little lights are kinda hard to see.

I like your instructions. Very clean

Craig

Alan:
Your reverse light installation is great! (I visited your website a while ago after discussing the topic in another thread). Right now, I am looking at using '55-'57 front running lights as back-up lights. These are round and bullet shaped which may be a nice touch. My B&M shifter has the reverse light switch built in so it is easy to wire.

Thanks, guys

Hey, Craig -- I'm gonna put a flip-switch in that lights up when they're on. Definitely need a reminder ... sometimes I forget they're on. After I get a pair of Lincoln power seats in the truck I'm gonna finish the interior and then I'll be putting the lighted flip-switch (along with any others) in an overhead console I plan on designing. This truck has been more fun than I ever dreamed!


Hey, SoTxBoTi -- the 55-57 lights sound like a plan! I'd like to see some pics when you're done, too!

Somebody I talked to suggested wiring in a beeper in case the dash light wasn't bright enough or you forgot to look at it while the backup lights were on.

Somebody I talked to suggested wiring in a beeper in case the dash light wasn't bright enough or you forgot to look at it while the backup lights were on.

Alan,
You'll appreciate this. The shot I took in my first reply was taken Monday this week. I shot it by sitting in the truck, turn the ignition switch on, turn the spotlight on and flash went the camera. Guess what.....I turned off the spotlight but forgot to turn off the ignition switch. This morning I decided to take my truck to work....dead. What a doofus ! Nevertheless the battery is all charged up again ready for me to make another dumb move.

One can only laugh it off

cmayna....What a cool use for the spot. I'm installing one on my 52...that will probably be it's main function!!! :rolleyes:

ROTFLMAO!!

That's funny, man ... but I guess you weren't laughing when you had to get to work and the key was already on, eh?

A good sense of humor is priceless.

Again ... where can I get one? I always see these "dummy" spots, but what's the sense of having one that doesn't work??

Alan,

Actually I think my truck turned the key on himself. He really didn't want to wake up and go anywhere. Now that he's residing in the garage, it's becoming a little too comfy. I'm only 2 miles from my work so on my bicycle I went.

I see them at swap meets quite frequently. I know that I've seen a few threads on spotlights where people have listed some good sources on new parts as well. Though my light works, I do need to rebuild it for sometimes the light will go out when I'm turning it. Once I stop, it comes back on. This can become quite annoying when your driving in the brush looking for bigfoot.

Ah-haa! Swap meets, eh? Believe it or not, I still haven't been graced by the experience of going to a swap meet.

I'm in Central New Jersey and have yet to hear about one that's nearby.