Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Mystique Backup Lights...HELP!

My backup lights do not function .......... at all.

The 15 A #23 fuze was not blown, but I replaced it anyway. The bulbs are fine except for some contact corrosion.
The corrosion was surprising considering I replaced the bulbs 2 months ago.

I have replaced the Transmission Position switch after three hours of much hassle and swearing.
The Air Intake Assembly, Battery and the Main Coolent lines to engine all had to be removed to get tool access.
The cooling system had to be drained to make this happen. Nasty.
The old TPS had two connector pins that were quite corroded.

None of these fixes seem to have worked. I tried to check the voltage at the back light assembly with a volt meter to no success.

One other thing...........My trunk lid leaks so water pools in the backup light assemblies. My license plate bulbs don't work either (same circuit as back up lights?)
My spoiler brake lights work perfectly.

I spliced in a bigger service loop (after the lights spotted working) in the wire bunble connecting to the car at the trunk hinge.
I believe that connection is fine since my spoiler brake light works fine.

Is there a mystery relay in the circuit?...........The owner's manual mentions nothing and the Haynes book is next to useless.

My next step is to try a better volt meter and try to make better contact with the circuit.

I have to get this fixed so that I can pass inspection in MA.

Any experience or thoughts or constructive comments?

Has anyone come up with a work around using the gear shift lever?
Thanks.

Fastfolch
'98 Mystique V6
FMS wires/Bosch +4's
TH fix
KN/KKM depending on season
Custom Wheels/Goodyear GTII's (they do me just fine)
Custom 2.25" single exhaust w/ 3ARacing daul outlet SS muffler

License light on different fuse #31.
I presume atx?
Sounds like you started changing things without 1st finding problem, we've all done that in frustration at times. BTW welcome to the lift trunk lid after rain take-a-shower club.
Did you measure volts after changing Transmission range sensor to confirm that that part of backup light circuit is OK?
I would check license circuit by first checking bulbs then connectors at both lamps.

Work around using atx lever not productive use of thinking or work time me thinks.

p.s. As long as your voltmeter reads 12.5 across battery it's OK for troubleshooting lights.

Problem Solved

I guess the computer had to learn about the TPS.

The corrosion was also a significant factor.

Thanks