Hey guys...I had some light bulbs laying around and they just happened to be the ones I needed for my burnt out backup/reverse lights. 1156LL. I put them in but my reverse lights still don't work. Do you all have and suggestions? 1979 280zx Coupe.

 

the switch in the tranny can go out too. check voltage at the lamps when it's in reverse

 

is that the only light out?

 

^^^ What they said....

 

Yes, those two lights are the only lights on the entire car that are out. I pulled the sockets out and removed the old bulbs and replaced them with the brand new bulbs that I had laying around. The sockets are corroded badly, I just checked them. I will have to pull out the circuit tester and check them out. If it isn't the sockets then I am going to run a fused wire to my center console and mount a 12v rocker switch between my mirror controls and solve the problem all together. This way if I am in traffic I can look like I am backing up when in fact I will not be. J/K but i do want to control them from a switch that I can replace without getting under the car.

If I have the ignition on...with the car off and the gear shifter in reverse will the lights come on?

 

^^^ I think you've lost it....

 

the lights will come on in that configuration. check you fuses, clean the terminals. and get a multi meter jsut a cheap one and toss it in reverse and then see if the terminals are even getting power. also check under the car on the pass side of the tranny to see if the reverse switch is even connected (should be 2 bullet style connectors)

 

I NEED SUGAR!!!

I will be doing some work on the car tomorrow so the first thing on the list is the backup lights. Thanks Snw for the info...it might prove useful.

Nismo...I haven't lost it...I never had it...Gigidy Gigidy Gigidy....I like sex!!!

 

Ok, here is the deal. I got ahold of a GREENLEE DM-40 Multimeter tester and began my quest. I tested the battery to make sure the meter was working after I put in a new 9v battery in the tester. Works great and I have exactly 12.65 volts at the battery without the car running. I put the key in the ignition to the run position without starting the car and put the transmission in reverse. No backup lights. I removed the lights from the sockets...tested the sockets, no juice. I then tested the wires going into the sockets...no juice. I assume this is why they dont turn on...no juice

What I need to do now is track down the switch on the tranny correct? If so where exactly is it located? Which side and what location...and what does it look like? Do you have any pics? Is there a fuse for these lights...if so, is it in the fuse box or under the hood? How is it labeled? What is the fuses rating in amps? I think that covers everything.

Edit..I just re-read the last post by Snw...will check there for the connections.

 

Ok just got out from under the car...the connection is right where Snw said it was...I think this is the source of the problem. One wire was still barely connected to the sensor and one was completely broken off. So, now I will strip the wires and re-connect them to see if they will now work.

 

Success!! The reverse lamps work as they should!!! Thanks everyone that helped with this. Snw, thanks, you made it easy to fix my problem.

 

wow, snw helped FIX a problem?!?! usually he just creates them!

 

hardy harr harr^^^^ lol no problem ive been under these cars to many times for my own good to know where to start. lol. i thought you were ditching all your z's though mmike?

 

It is hard to let a Z go...true, two of them are gone but unless I find another 1992 Camaro in like new shape or a 1984 or 85 Ferrari 308 GTS/GTB QV then I think this Z is going to be around for a while.

 

Dude, if you can't afford to keep a Z or a Camaro running, what makes you think you can cover a 25 year old Ferrari? Even a 308 is gonna murder you on maintenance. I suspect I make at least a little more income than you and even though I've had the opportunity a few times, I won't take on a Quattro Valvole... Even one of the 3.0/3.2 V8's is EXTREMELY expensive to maintain.

 

The only reason I can't "afford" to keep anything running is because I have no job presently. If I had the money to buy a 308 GTB/GTS QV then I could afford the maintenance on it. Granted they can get expensive to own, hell anything can if you take it to a specialist mechanic...just because it's a Ferrari doesn't mean you have to take it to a Ferrari mechanic though. I don't mind turning wrenches and if I acquire the knowledge I can work on just about anything. I had a Camaro...a 1992 Camaro...not expensive and very easy to keep running. I brought mine back from the brink of death with less than $300 in TOTAL parts and it ran nearly flawlessly until I TRADED it for my first ZX.

All being said, my 1979 280zx runs and is in my opinion a dependable car. The only thing keeping it from running super is money...but that's only because I have no job. Once I have the money I, me, myself will make it run great...I have confidence in myself that way. However if I come across a Camaro that I have the money to buy then I will, not because I don't like my ZX but because I loved my Camaro. I would probably keep my Z, however if I could afford a QV I would give up the Z but that's because the Ferrari 308 is one of my dream cars, as well as a '66 427 Cobra, a '66 Chevelle, 1997 Porsche 911 Turbo, 1987 GNX, you see where i am going.

 

this is BS. snw is taking my credit. did i not blame the switch first?!!

screw you guys, om a goin home

 

Oh hey... look at that! Post two! Naw... you get no credit!!!

 

Ooooops, sorry about that Willkrom...looks like I do need to throw credit your way. Thank You, you WERE the first to suggest the switch...looks like Snw was stealing your thunder and making it look like he knew what he was talking about when in fact he just re-suggested your suggestion, suggesting that his suggestion suggesting that I look for the switch was in fact the suggestion that was first suggested in this short line of suggestions.

What was Snw thinking suggesting that? Actually, he did tell me where to look, so both of you get my thanks.

 

he said the switch in the tranny can go out, thats very vague to my description, i win! i said the connection, its on the pass side with 2 bullet style connectors. you try to tell me that you deserve credit over that to mah face boi! lol

 

yea yea. wut eva. it didn't need that much more. but i don't care any way. i was just messin

 

can i ask why you called them back up lamps instead of reverse lamps? lol

 

Ummm because you use them when you are backing up...duh. I have actually called them reverse lamps as well but wouldn't reverse lamps be without light? I could refer to them as electrified and illuminated reverse driving aids...

 

well if they were the "reverse lamps" your trying to exemplify with a play on words they would actually have to absorb light, aka a black hole. dark matter! i gots plenty