HELP! Electrical puzzle of the Century (Buick)

[bender]

Hello everyone, here is the scoop. I have Buick Century 2001 with 39000 miles on it. EVerything works great except, a cop stopped me the other night and warned me that my back-up lights and licence plate lights do not work. I think the next thing you know he will ticket me. Anyway, I opened the back panel containing all of the abve lights. They call the panel applique. Anyway, I found a burned out light bulb on one of the licence plate lights. Changed that. Nothing happened. Changed the remaining licence plate lights bulb and both the back up lights. Nothing happened. Opened fuse panel in the car tried to find the burned out fuse. There are no dedicated fuse to back up lights and the one that is for licence plate lights is ok. Nothing seems to be charred and broken in the fuse box. Checked the fuse box in the engine compartment visually looks good. ANY CLUES ON TO WHAT IS HAPPENINNG. I am sure it is a fuse that controls the whole "applique" thingi, I have no idea what or where is it? PLease help

[RABarrett]

The license plate lights are driven by the same circuit as the tail lights. You might check connections between the two, possibly for grounds or voltage connections. The back-up lights are driven by the trans, responding to a reverse request from there. This vehicle may have a link to the PCM, since it controls the trans. My suspicion is that the grounds between these lights are common; you might try checking grounds. Food for thought: using a test light, connect the clip to ground. If all of the contacts on the defective lights have voltage on them, you have a defective ground. I would try disconnecting and reconnecting any and all connectors you can find. Ray

[bender]

Thank you for suggestions. The main thing is not to disconnect and not to reconnect the correct thingis. )) Thanks though

[tman]

perhaps some moisture got into your trunk and damaged some wires?

[gulftane]

Dear Bender .... 2000 Century 65000 miles, SAME PROBLEM..... I staqrted on the trans, figuring it was a sensor problem, since the trunk wiring and bulobs are all fine. There is a black plastic module on the upper rear trans housing, that the shift cable goes to. Dealer called this little $40 gem the "Neutral Safety Switch". It has two electrical plugs going to it, with about 10 wires, so I figured this was a good item to start with. DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY, it made no difference! Still no back up lights, just a slimmer wallet and two skinned knuckles! Still searching!!