Backup Lights Come on Doors Open

Fonz54

TJ Enthusiast
Supporting Member
Joined
Apr 9, 2018
Messages
975
Location
Monterey, CA, USA
A while ago I noticed that backup lights were on when the TJ was running so I bought a new back up light switch but have not installed it as of yet. The other day I had the driver side door open without the TJ running went around back to get something from the back and damn if the backup lights were not on. I closed the door and sure than shootin' the backup lights went off. I have been looking at the schematics and trying to figure the relation between fuse 7 in the Power Distro box and fuse 4 in the Fuse Panel. I have a cut off switch on fuse 4 so I can keep the lights off when the doors are off. With the switch in the off position the b/u lights do not go on when the doors are open. With the switch in the off position and the TJ running, the b/u lights are on. Color me confused!
 
LIghts on when Jeep is on seems like a bad reverse switch.
The on with open door thing could be a separate issue.
Any chance someone did some creative wiring to bypass the reverse switch?
 
OK I figured it out. I had purchased a rear view mirror that I thought had the temp and compass but only had the map lights and auto dimming feature. It looks like i have the Violet/Black wire connected and that is causing the b/u light to come on. Will take it all apart this weekend and rewire it eliminating the violet/black lead.
 
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OK I figured it out. I had purchased a rear view mirror that I thought had the temp and compass but only had the map lights and auto dimming feature. It looks like i have the Violet/Black wire connected and that is causing the b/u light to come on. Will take it all apart this weekend and rewire it eliminating the violet/black lead.
Interesting cause of and solution to the problem...
 
OK I figured it out. I had purchased a rear view mirror that I thought had the temp and compass but only had the map lights and auto dimming feature. It looks like i have the Violet/Black wire connected and that is causing the b/u light to come on. Will take it all apart this weekend and rewire it eliminating the violet/black lead.
The factory auto dim mirror in mine uses the reverse light feed to disable the dimming function when in reverse for better visibility. Do you know if your mirror has that?
 
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The factory auto dim mirror in mine uses the reverse light feed to disable the dimming function when in reverse for better visibility. Do you know if your mirror has that?
That's actually good to know - seems like I can tap into that for my back-up camera activation!
 
The factory auto dim mirror in mine uses the reverse light feed to disable the dimming function when in reverse for better visibility. Do you know if your mirror has that?
I have to check the mirror model number. Ok so what you are saying is that the B/U lights coming on should tell the mirror to undim so to speak?
 
Mirror Pin Out is;
1. +12V Switched-RUN/START
2. Ground
3. Reverse Feed (+)
4. Door Mirror Feed (+)
5. Door Mirror Feed (-)
6. Door Switch (-)
7. Fused B (+)

I need to pop the defroster vent and see how I wired it up. I think I only used three of the pins connected to the mirror.
 
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This is an excellent spot and the easiest spot to tap for that!
Where do you tap into it, by the dash or actually by the mirror itself? I don't have an issue with either, just curious as to what has worked well for others.
 
Where do you tap into it, by the dash or actually by the mirror itself? I don't have an issue with either, just curious as to what has worked well for others.
The lead for the mirror with connector is located under the defroster vent. I am sure there is a picture or pictures posted somewhere here on the forum. I will post one this weekend when I pull the vent off to check my wiring.
 
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The lead for the mirror with connector is located under the defroster vent. I am sure there is a picture or pictures posted somewhere here on the forum. I will post one this weekend when I pull the vent off to check my wiring.
oh perfect - nice and close to the radio!
 
I tapped in on the dash harness side under the defroster. Not on the extension harness up to the mirror.
 
What a tangled web as the saying goes. I disconnected the VT/BK wire going to the mirror. Lo and behold the B?U lights no longer come on when the doors open or when the TJ is running. Then I realized that I had counted the pins on the connector incorrectly and had the ground connected to the pin for the B/U lights. Fixed that and all is good now.
 
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oh perfect - nice and close to the radio!
Here is a picture of the connector under the top dash panel. The Pink and White is always hot. The Dark Blue and White is connected to the ignition switch. The Black lead is the ground. For my 2004 the Schematic was on page 8W-44-6 in the Service Manual.

This picture was before I corrected my wiring.

Mirror Connector.jpg
 
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