Backup lights problem

[himanshukhona]

Hi,
My backup lights dont come on when on reverse gear.
Tried changing the bulb but still doesn't work.
Mechanic says the switch is gone bad. That costs 260$.
The question I have is, How can I replace the switch myself?
What other things I need to check to confirm that its the switch which is gone bad?
Both the sides of stop lights don't work, so I assume its somewhere in the controls, If it was wiring the problem may have been with one of them? Not sure though.
Help would be greatly appreciated

[strmh]

Had a similar problem with my '98 Camry....lost most of the rear lighting.

Is it just the back-up lights, or are other lights not working as well?

My problem was in the wiring harness that's connected to the driver's side of the trunk lid. It was getting pinched where it connected to the trunk hinge.

TH

[Brian R.]

For an automatic transmission,
Check the "Gauge" fuse in box under dash by driver.
Check Park/Neutral Position switch for continuity.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=301725

[himanshukhona]

Originally Posted by strmh

Had a similar problem with my '98 Camry....lost most of the rear lighting.

Is it just the back-up lights, or are other lights not working as well?

My problem was in the wiring harness that's connected to the driver's side of the trunk lid. It was getting pinched where it connected to the trunk hinge.

TH

Only backup lights aren't working. I really a newbie as far as cars. SO I will check the wiring in the trunk. But both the light bulbs are gone, so probably that may not be the cause?
Let me know if you have more info on this.
Thanks
HImanshu

[mljgriffin]

My wifes car has the same issue. However, when we spetn 250.00 for a new Neutral Safety Switch, guess what? Not the problem. The lights still don't work. Our mechanic is stumped. There is a small yellow box in the trunk on the driver's side. I noticed the wiring all seems to go into that box? Does anyone know what it is and if that could be the problem?
Thanks!
Mike

[himanshukhona]

Interesting!!
You mean I need to open the trunk & on the driver's side I should see this box? I will check it myself?
Himanshu

[mljgriffin]

Yes, trunk, drivers side, you have to pull back the "carpeting" from the side wall and the wires are plugged into a small yellow box. My mechanic had mentioned that this may be the problem. However, I have not found a new one yet, so I have not tried this myself just yet. Does anyone know of any other causes of reverse light failure other than Neutral Safety Switch?? Thanks -Mike

[himanshukhona]

Hi,
So finally when i checked the trunk & the path of the wiring, it turned out that one of the wires was broken.
So probably thats what you may want to look at?
Its quite easy to Do it yourself & will save you a lot of money.
Hope this helps
Thanks
Himanshu

[rwood13]

the yellow box is a sensor box for the rear lights, when one of the rear bulbs goes out it lights an indiacator light on the dash, they do go bad, not sure if the backup lights go through it or not, I went through 2 on my 88 Camry, made a jumper to go around

[mljgriffin]

Thanks for your help. I will exam the the wires this weekend. The "yellow box" was quoted at 190.00 by the dealer so i'm trying the wires first.

[gelcol]

Originally Posted by mljgriffin

Thanks for your help. I will exam the the wires this weekend. The "yellow box" was quoted at 190.00 by the dealer so i'm trying the wires first.

I'm selling mine for $80.00 yellow box still in the toyota dealer's box [email protected]