Backup lights not working

Tiny
SJWEIR
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 DODGE DAKOTA
  • 3.9L
  • V6
  • RWD
  • MANUAL
  • 140,000 MILES
Backup lights not working replaced all fuses and bulbs and headlamp switch?
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Wednesday, July 22nd, 2015 AT 11:10 AM

26 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,606 POSTS
Check parking lamp relay under hood for parking lights. Then scan for codes as I tmay be the central timer module in kick panel. And check purple wire on whatever engine you have to see if power is going from there if it gets to back up light then it's a ground problem or short in wiring.
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Wednesday, July 22nd, 2015 AT 11:54 AM
Tiny
THIS IS MIKE
  • MECHANIC
  • 686 POSTS
Sjweir
Aug 12, 2015.

Thanks but it was the reverse back up light on the transmission.
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Wednesday, August 12th, 2015 AT 12:07 PM
Tiny
SILVERLADY
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2000 DODGE DAKOTA
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 90,000 MILES
The truck's back up lights are no longer working. I thought I would check the switch to see if it was bad, but could not find it according to the manual I have for the truck. I do have the towing package on my truck, so maybe that makes a differance. It is not the fuse, as I check that. Any idea on how I might be able to fix this problem myself?
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Friday, December 13th, 2019 AT 6:13 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Hello,

If the fuses are good it sounds like the reverse light switch which is the gear range sensor here is the location so you can check it out.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/198357_Graphic_354.jpg



Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.
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Friday, December 13th, 2019 AT 6:13 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JONSSON31
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
  • 1998 DODGE DAKOTA
  • 5.2L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 250,000 MILES
The back light on my cluster gauge stopped working I'm not sure how to fix it and would like too soon cause driving at night will not light sucks, I tried the fuses and bulbs already and all the new ones still don't work! If u could help me to fix it without having to buy a whole new cluster that would be very much appreciated.
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Friday, December 13th, 2019 AT 6:13 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,689 POSTS
What happens to the radio display when you turn on the running lights and when you adjust the dimmer rheostat? Do the tail lights work?
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Friday, December 13th, 2019 AT 6:13 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JONSSON31
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
The radio is aftermarket so does nothing, everything works just only the back light in the cluster, tried the fuses and bulbs already, kinda out of ideas
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Friday, December 13th, 2019 AT 6:13 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
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Rats. The original radio would have cut the diagnostic time in half. Instead of a simple dash light rheostat, they use pulse-width dimming, which means a computer module is involved. I'm going to have to dig for a service manual to see exactly how the system is wired. In the meantime, if you can find a rheostat in a salvage yard, substituting it would be the quickest way to determine if the old one is defective.

These have an extremely low failure rate on Chrysler products. One thing though that can take them out is the wire to the radio. If that is not sealed well and it touches the metal case of the radio, that could damage it. The most common thing I've run into when aftermarket radios are involved is when the installer hacked off the original plugs, then covered the bare ends with electrical tape. Tape will unravel into a gooey mess on a hot day.
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Friday, December 13th, 2019 AT 6:13 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JONSSON31
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  • 11 POSTS
Ok thank u I'll give that a try the rheostat is the button u pull and can spin for the lights right?
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Friday, December 13th, 2019 AT 6:13 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUEEYES53
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1998 DODGE DAKOTA
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 27,667 MILES
My back up lights are not working on my 1998 Dodge Dakota. Do you have any suggestions that I can try.
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Friday, December 13th, 2019 AT 6:13 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUEEYES53
  • MEMBER
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I had it checked. Check to neutral switch found it to be bad. Replaced and works fine now
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Friday, December 13th, 2019 AT 6:13 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
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Yup. If that's built into the headlight switch and it looks like a metal spring wrapped up in a circle, you have the older style. Then we have to look somewhere else. With either type, check the terminals in the connector to see if any are black or discolored, or if the plastic connector body is melted.
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Friday, December 13th, 2019 AT 6:13 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JONSSON31
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
Okay I'll will take a look and hopfully that will be the solution if you have any other ideas please let me know.
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Friday, December 13th, 2019 AT 6:13 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JONSSON31
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  • 11 POSTS
Changed the switch with a new one still nothing.
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Friday, December 13th, 2019 AT 6:13 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
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Just so I'm clear, is the dash light rheostat built into the head light switch, or is it a separate wheel on the dash, next to the head light switch?
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Friday, December 13th, 2019 AT 6:13 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JONSSON31
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  • 11 POSTS
It's all connected no separate dial.
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Friday, December 13th, 2019 AT 6:13 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
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Do you see that curved spring inside a ceramic white disc? If you have that, check if there's voltage on it around the middle, when the head light switch is pulled out to the running light position.
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Friday, December 13th, 2019 AT 6:13 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JONSSON31
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Where is this spring I'm looking for?
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Friday, December 13th, 2019 AT 6:13 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JONSSON31
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Would it be maybe a faulty cluster or something?
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Friday, December 13th, 2019 AT 6:13 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
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If you have the common older-style rheostat, it will be an off-white ceramic disc, about 1 1/2" in diameter and about 1/2" thick, near the knob end of the switch. On one side will be a groove all the way around that the wire-wound resistor sits in. THAT is what looks like a spring. You'll also see a little contact touching that spring.

The cluster could have a problem, but for all of the lights to not work, the likely cause would be a loose pin in one of the connectors. Those can usually be soldered to the copper circuit, but you have to be careful if that is a flexible plastic sheet. Overheating it will melt the circuit.
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Friday, December 13th, 2019 AT 6:13 PM (Merged)

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