Troubleshooting the rear back up lights

[Plymouth71]

My reverse lights are not working. I replaced the licence plate bulb the other day. Co-incidence? Any place online to find some wiring diagrams? 1971 Plymouth Satellite. Thank you

 

[RebelautoengrLLC]

Here you go! Just find the appropriate link. This and a multi-meter should help you solve your problem.

http://www.mymopar.com/index.php?pid=27

 

[Bruzilla]

Tow things I would check are the wiring through the bumper and the bulb sockets. My tail lights quit working last year and I found out the problem was the wires run through a pair of round cutouts through the rear bumper supports, and over the decades the tail light wire had been damaged by rubbing against the edge of one of the cutouts. It was invisible damage from below, and I only was able to see it because the center trip strip on my rear bumper is missing and I was able to look down and see the bad wire from above.

I couldn't get one of my back up lights to work after I changed out the bulbs, and it turned out to be a problem with corrosion buildup in the socket. I used sandpaper to clean up the contacts and it still didn't work. I ended up having to clean the socket with a Dremel tool and a grinding bit to get enough of the crud and crap out to get the light working again.

 

[rebootej]

If the rear wiring and plugs dont fix it. Id also check your netural saftey/back up switch. I had a problem with mine a couple months ago.

 

[Plymouth71]

Wow, all good suggestions guys. i hope to tackle it over the weekend. Pray for me ! The Cops around here are on a crack down and I don't want to have to park it if I don't have to

 

[67 coronet]

start by checking for power and make sure you have a good ground.if no power just chase up the line untill you find a break,or a bad switch.

 

[73runner]

I ended up installing new dorman sockets into the tail light housings for the tail lights and reverse lights to get a reliable set of lights. If you do it carefully, no one will be able to tell.