Remote switch for backup lights?
#1
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Remote switch for backup lights?
I just purchased a 2001 Camaro SS yesterday and this car has the strangest feature that I've ever encountered on a used vehicle. The backup lights are on a toggle switch just above the clutch pedal. If you put the car in reverse, the backup lights do not come on. You have to kick the toggle switch with your toe just above the clutch to turn them on.
1) Why would anyone want to do this?
2) How do I put it back to the way it was supposed to be?
This is a new one for me, so I'm not sure where to even start with it.
1) Why would anyone want to do this?
2) How do I put it back to the way it was supposed to be?
This is a new one for me, so I'm not sure where to even start with it.
#3
Take the center console out. You'll see a wiring harness inside convoluted tubing. There is a good chance you'll see a connector not hooked up to anything with 6 wires terminated into it, or possibly some cut or spliced wires. Purple/white, Dark Green, Light Green, Brown, Orange/black, and Black should be the colors of the wires. The Light Green wire and the Brown wire are the two wires that need to be connected to the reverse light switch in order for your reverse lights to activate when reverse is selected. I'm gonna guess the switch you have by your clutch pedal is spliced into the light green and brown wires. You might want to jack your car up and take a look at the reverse light switch on the trans and see whats going on down there as well. Could be not functioning or just gone completely... Why someone would go to the trouble of putting in a switch to bypass it though, is beyond me.
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Take the center console out. You'll see a wiring harness inside convoluted tubing. There is a good chance you'll see a connector not hooked up to anything with 6 wires terminated into it, or possibly some cut or spliced wires. Purple/white, Dark Green, Light Green, Brown, Orange/black, and Black should be the colors of the wires. The Light Green wire and the Brown wire are the two wires that need to be connected to the reverse light switch in order for your reverse lights to activate when reverse is selected. I'm gonna guess the switch you have by your clutch pedal is spliced into the light green and brown wires. You might want to jack your car up and take a look at the reverse light switch on the trans and see whats going on down there as well. Could be not functioning or just gone completely... Why someone would go to the trouble of putting in a switch to bypass it though, is beyond me.
#6
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yea i agree with trips, it doesn't make sence for some one to do that. like he said jack it up and look at the switch on the transmission and go from there. As far as inspection, just flip em on when you push the clutch to get in reverse, they shouldn't notice you doing it.
#7
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I just purchased a 2001 Camaro SS yesterday and this car has the strangest feature that I've ever encountered on a used vehicle. The backup lights are on a toggle switch just above the clutch pedal. If you put the car in reverse, the backup lights do not come on. You have to kick the toggle switch with your toe just above the clutch to turn them on.
1) Why would anyone want to do this?
2) How do I put it back to the way it was supposed to be?
This is a new one for me, so I'm not sure where to even start with it.
1) Why would anyone want to do this?
2) How do I put it back to the way it was supposed to be?
This is a new one for me, so I'm not sure where to even start with it.
I'd suggest finding the original owner, slapping them across the face with a wet glove, and then putting the car back to the way it was.
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#8
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If you search, you'll find a thread tucked away in the "stupid & illegal" section about this. Some people are inclined to do this in order to scare people tailgating them.
I'd suggest finding the original owner, slapping them across the face with a wet glove, and then putting the car back to the way it was.
I'd suggest finding the original owner, slapping them across the face with a wet glove, and then putting the car back to the way it was.
I talked to my mechanic today when I scheduled an appointment for inspection. She, yes she, said that as long as the lights do work it should be okay. Regardless, I intend to put it back to normal.
All of this did give me another idea though. I really like the idea of having a rearward facing fog light like a lot of the newer eurpean cars have. I was thinking of rigging up one of the tail lights this way. And since my car does not have the ASR I already have a place to put a switch.