Back up lights

Tiny
GHWILKERSON
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 SATURN ION
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 50,000 MILES
Neither of the back up lights work. I suspect a fuse, but can't find which one controls them in my owners manual.
Friday, January 23rd, 2009 AT 10:37 AM

13 Replies

Tiny
BRIAN 1
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,030 POSTS
Check fuse #15 in the underhood fuse block, its in there. Post back with what you find.
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Friday, January 23rd, 2009 AT 4:10 PM
Tiny
GHWILKERSON
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I checked #15 as well as the other 2 associated with back up switch. All 3 are good.
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Friday, January 23rd, 2009 AT 8:24 PM
Tiny
BRIAN 1
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,030 POSTS
Next step is Disconnect the backup lamp switch connector, for manual transaxle or the park neutral position switch connector for automatic transaxle.
Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
Probe the backup lamp supply voltage circuit of the connector with a test lamp that is connected to a good ground. See if you have power here.(You might have a problem with the backup lamp switch assembly) also first remove on of the reverse light bulbs and put it in reverse and see if there is power at one or both sockets. Could even have 2 blown bulbs. Post back with what you find.
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Friday, January 23rd, 2009 AT 8:39 PM
Tiny
TRAVIS JONES
  • MEMBER
  • 24 POSTS
  • 2004 SATURN ION
  • 2.2L
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 153,000 MILES
Reverse lights inoperable. Fuse fifteen is good replaced with a new one anyway. Getting no voltage at the bulb. Removed switch and with a multi-meter the resistance changes when the switch is depressed.
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Sunday, May 24th, 2020 AT 1:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,901 POSTS
Check for twelve volts on both test points on fuse fifteen with the ignition switch in the "run" position. If you have that, check for twelve volts on the pink wire at the switch. Back-probe that wire in the connector with it plugged in, if possible, and when shifted to "reverse". If the connector is sealed and you have to unplug it to take the reading, do that with a test light, not a digital voltmeter.

Next, check for twelve volts by back-probing on the light green wire when shifted to "reverse". If you have it there, there's a break in that wire between that point and the splice where the wire splits into two circuits.
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Sunday, May 24th, 2020 AT 1:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FELDMAN78
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  • 3 POSTS
  • 2003 SATURN ION
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 110,000 MILES
Could you tell me where the back up light switch is located?
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Sunday, May 24th, 2020 AT 1:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/416332_2003_ion_back_up_light_switch_1.jpg


The number one connector in the diagram plug's into the back up light switch.
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Sunday, May 24th, 2020 AT 1:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FELDMAN78
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Thank you for the picture. This is located on the front driver side behind tire?
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Sunday, May 24th, 2020 AT 1:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
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Yes it's behind the drivers side tire area turn the key to the run postion with the engine not running unplug the back up switch jump the connector that goes to back up switch across the two terminals. The back up lights should come on if they do but don't with the connector plugged in and the car in reverse then you have a bad back up light switch.I have seen a lot of back up light switches on those.
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Sunday, May 24th, 2020 AT 1:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WISCONSIN_SATURN_OWNER
  • MEMBER
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Hi I have the same question, only I have a saturn ion 2004. Is the switch located in the same place as the 2003?
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Sunday, May 24th, 2020 AT 1:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Yes it would be the same place.
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Sunday, May 24th, 2020 AT 1:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
STEVERUM
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  • 1 POST
  • 2003 SATURN ION
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
Back up lights won't work.
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Sunday, May 24th, 2020 AT 1:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Did you check the backup lamp fuse, check for voltage, goes hot when you turn the key on. Also, check backup lamp switch, on transaxle, left side of engine compartment.
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Sunday, May 24th, 2020 AT 1:41 PM (Merged)

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