Reverse lights staying on

[blake_peanut]

Hey, I have searched the forum for this but have come up empty handed. My reverse lights are staying on, I got the switch replaced once from the dealership (Warranty). Then it started doing it again, I think it might be the bulbs there a xenon, but the amps are the same. I had the xenon's in there for like a year before it started doing that. What tha ****!
Appreciate the help, thanx

 

[SciFiMan]

That's always a weird problem. You might try one of the forums for American pickup trucks. They often have this problem, as I've noticed on the highway, and you might find some solution there.

 

[blake_peanut]

Alrite thanx I'll check that. Well I'll search the web in Canada eh.

 

[Jim Frye]

Check the Switch

The tip off here is your statement that the backup light switch was replaced. I'm not sure where it's located, but I'll bet that the new switch is not adjusted properly. This used to be a common problem when untrained folks would do transmission repairs and not adjust the backup light switch after installation.

Jim Frye

 

[Red Devil P5]

The tip off here is your statement that the backup light switch was replaced. I'm not sure where it's located, but I'll bet that the new switch is not adjusted properly. This used to be a common problem when untrained folks would do transmission repairs and not adjust the backup light switch after installation.

Jim Frye

this could be the problem to, back in the day when i had my maxima i put in aftermarket tails and bulbs but i got the harneses reversed so that my brake light harness was hooked up to the reverse lights and vise versa and i just switced them around and it was all good.

 

[blake_peanut]

Thanx, maybe ill try that. The switch is actually located on the right side of the block right by the tranny. The switch has two purposes the obvious and it serves as a plug for the fluid. Just an FYI

 

[Matthew]

you learn something new everyday, i was gonna suggest taking the car outta reverse (scratch)

 

[blake_peanut]

I see, smart ass. Im pretty sure I had it outta reverse ill try again next time.

 

[Matthew]

calm down, just joking alert

 

[kcbhiw]

You may want to confirm that your "xenons" are of the same wattage. Otherwise, it's a possibility that the increased current draw 'could' fuse the switch into a closed position. On most cars, it's unusual for the switch to remain closed under normal circumstances. Unless, you have some unusual wiring fault or you have received two defective switches in a row, I am willing to put the blame on the bulbs.

My advice, lose the fancy bulbs and go with the stockers. Besides, they're only used for a few seconds at a time.

 

[blake_peanut]

Hey, I have searched the forum for this but have come up empty handed. My reverse lights are staying on, I got the switch replaced once from the dealership (Warranty). Then it started doing it again, I think it might be the bulbs there a xenon, but the amps are the same. I had the xenon's in there for like a year before it started doing that. What tha ****!
Appreciate the help, thanx

I made sure I checekd the wattages on all the bulbs before i put em in. But I also think it may be because when i turn my car off in a spot when I have to reverse out I put it in that gear. Could this maybe the problem, maybe?

 

[kcbhiw]

Hey, I have searched the forum for this but have come up empty handed. My reverse lights are staying on, I got the switch replaced once from the dealership (Warranty). Then it started doing it again, I think it might be the bulbs there a xenon, but the amps are the same. I had the xenon's in there for like a year before it started doing that. What tha ****!
Appreciate the help, thanx

I made sure I checekd the wattages on all the bulbs before i put em in. But I also think it may be because when i turn my car off in a spot when I have to reverse out I put it in that gear. Could this maybe the problem, maybe?

As I stated in my post, the chances of it being the actual switch is about 99.9%. Most "xenon" lamps are of a poor quality, despite the opinions of others. Therefore, I wouldn't dismiss the fact that they are the cause of any sort of electrical fault. Check the switch, replace it if you have to. Unless there is a true short on the positive wire to the lamps (very unlikely), the switch is at fault. Being so, mechanical switches are typically the weakest link in a system.

If you want to get technical and prove that the the aftermarket bulbs are not drawing excess current, place an ammeter in series with each bulb, record the current. Then measure the voltage across each bulb (parallel). Then use the formula P = I * V where "I" equals the measured current and "V" equals the measured voltage for each bulb. You are then left with "P", power, wattage (simple ohms law). Compare that with the rated wattage of each bulb then, only then, dispute the bulbs as the cause if the actual measured wattage (power) is equal or less than that of which they are rated.

After repairing the fault, replace the lamps (bulbs) with the proper type. I highly doubt that your reverse visibility is improved or that you are noticed by more people when using the so called "xenon" lamps. (Yes, I'm being blunt, no, I'm not an ass)

So you've replaced it (the switch) once already, replace it again.

 

[blake_peanut]

I was planning on changing the bulbs and the switch again to see if that fixed the problem. The xenon's are a help because I live in the boonies and its dark at night, really dark, don't want to hit nothing. But they are of not great importance if they don't work, so I'll prolly just get rid of them. Thanx.