Backup Lights Wired to Dash Switch?

NCLife

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So I picked up a project 2003 Wrangler X. As I'm working through stuff to fix I find that the reverse lights have been wired to a manual dash switch. I did look and there is a backup switch installed in the side of the transmission. The plug is still on it. I assume the switch went bad and one of the PO's didn't know how to fix it. I have ordered a new one and will replace it. Here is my question. Where am I likely to find that they wired the manual switch to, to undo it and have it function properly. I assume there can't be more than one or two ways to do what they did. Where should I look? TIA
 
There's not going to be any real schematic on that, you'd be best to follow the wire.

I agree with @Zorba, that may have been added to override the lights, and allow stealth...

Okay thanks. Let's assume the back up light switch on the transmission is in fact bad. When I replace that, is that likely to allow it to have the lights come on when I put it in reverse automatically? Or do you think the switch sort of overrides and supersedes, the function of the switch? I guess what I'm asking is do I really need to remove the switch to get it to function as intended?
 
Do the reverse lites come on with the dash switch and the transmission NOT in reverse? Then its a parallel or replacement hookup. Then see if they come on with the dash switch OFF, and the transmission in reverse? Then its a parallel hookup and both switches are good. Do the reverse lites ONLY come on with the dash switch AND the transmission in reverse? Then its a series hookup. If none of the above are true, something's borked or bad.
 
Do the reverse lites come on with the dash switch and the transmission NOT in reverse? Then its a parallel or replacement hookup. Then see if they come on with the dash switch OFF, and the transmission in reverse? Then its a parallel hookup and both switches are good. Do the reverse lites ONLY come on with the dash switch AND the transmission in reverse? Then its a series hookup. If none of the above are true, something's borked or bad.

Thank you this will help me work through what they‘ve done. One detail I left out that may help, they do have a small Rigid backup light mounted below the passenger side brake light that comes on with the reverse lights. It is tapped into that break light inside the housing. Does that change anything or add any needed detail?
 
Thank you this will help me work through what they‘ve done. One detail I left out that may help, they do have a small Rigid backup light mounted below the passenger side brake light that comes on with the reverse lights. It is tapped into that break light inside the housing. Does that change anything or add any needed detail?

That shouldn't matter. The Rigid light is likely in parallel with the wiring it is tapped into and wouldn't affect the function of the switches, whatever that may be. If you want, you can run the troubleshooting steps given previously with it disconnected but I'd recommend doing them with it as-is first.
 
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One detail I left out that may help, they do have a small Rigid backup light mounted below the passenger side brake light that comes on with the reverse lights. It is tapped into that break light inside the housing. Does that change anything or add any needed detail?
It could be that the P.O. added that as a separate light that he could use at his leisure. It may work independent of the OEM lights, or with them.
Best thing you can do is as Zorba suggests. Start throwing switches and see what happens.
 
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I added a reverse light switch to my 97. Used a relay for the two triggers...one the transmission switch and the dash switch. I have a side shooter pod light with red and white mounted above the spare. Third brake light + reverse light + work light. I think there's instructions in the resources section. Need to rework the pod light with 35s...was perfect with 33s.

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Its a super simple circuit. Power to and from the lights with a switch imbetween. I would follow the new wires until you find where they fubared it and just reconnect the old wires. Reverse light switch will be easy to test with a multimeter.check the sockets and bulbs too.
 
Do the reverse lites come on with the dash switch and the transmission NOT in reverse? Then its a parallel or replacement hookup. Then see if they come on with the dash switch OFF, and the transmission in reverse? Then its a parallel hookup and both switches are good. Do the reverse lites ONLY come on with the dash switch AND the transmission in reverse? Then its a series hookup. If none of the above are true, something's borked or bad.

@Zorba Okay so I replaced the switch and that now allows the lights to come on when I shift into reverse. However, that rocker switch now automatically illuminates when I shift into reverse. If the rocker switch is in the on position when I shift into reverse it automatically turns on and the reverse lights work. If the rocker switch is in the off position, the backup lights do NOT come on. So, I could leave the switch and leave it in the on position and go about my merry way. However, can I just disconnect the switch if I don't want it? The fact it can disrupt the reverse lights from working if it's not on caused me some pause. Electrical is not my thing, but with your guys help I'm unraveling the mystery. TIA
 
@Zorba Okay so I replaced the switch and that now allows the lights to come on when I shift into reverse. However, that rocker switch now automatically illuminates when I shift into reverse. If the rocker switch is in the on position when I shift into reverse it automatically turns on and the reverse lights work. If the rocker switch is in the off position, the backup lights do NOT come on. So, I could leave the switch and leave it in the on position and go about my merry way. However, can I just disconnect the switch if I don't want it? The fact it can disrupt the reverse lights from working if it's not on caused me some pause. Electrical is not my thing, but with your guys help I'm unraveling the mystery. TIA

Ok - so its an override. It certainly isn't hurting anything the way it is, but if you don't want it, just connect the two wires that go to the (dash) switch permanently. I'd just leave it there if it were me - but it isn't so its up to you!

Actually, there's probably 3 wires going to the switch - the two that affect the backup lites and are part of that circuit, and a ground wire for the switch's (apparent) internal light (LED?).
 
Ok - so its an override. It certainly isn't hurting anything the way it is, but if you don't want it, just connect the two wires that go to the (dash) switch permanently. I'd just leave it there if it were me - but it isn't so its up to you!

Actually, there's probably 3 wires going to the switch - the two that affect the backup lites and are part of that circuit, and a ground wire for the switch's (apparent) internal light (LED?).

You rock! Thanks for the rapid response. I'll leave it as you suggest and just treat like a light verifying I'm in reverse. Thanks again.
 
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Its a super simple circuit. Power to and from the lights with a switch imbetween. I would follow the new wires until you find where they fubared it and just reconnect the old wires. Reverse light switch will be easy to test with a multimeter.check the sockets and bulbs too.

Thanks
 
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