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Automotive/1999 Malibu back up lights not working
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QUESTION: I have a 1999 Malibu that the back up lights aren't working. I recently replaced a left rear circuit board and the turn signal flasher. The left turn and flashers previously wern't working and everything is working fine now except the back up lights. Is there a fuse, switch or something that may be bad?
ANSWER: What you really need is your own vehicle's wiring diagram. Not having a 99 Malibu, nor any other GM product at this time, I wouldn't have one. (I do have some information on the 1982 Malibu, but this might be a tad dated!) I have much information on my all my own current vehicles however, and highly recommend this practice.
Other than that, I can answer your question as to whether there is a fuse or a switch or something that is bad with a simple "yes" ... maybe one or both, in fact.
Your first order of business would be to check your glove compartment manual for the location of the fuses, and pull out and do a continuity check on the fuse protecting the back lamp circuit.
The second, if the above test is passed, is to look for the park/neutral/back-up interlock switch or switches - the back-up switch could be on its own. On finding the back-up lamp switch, disconnect its connector and connect your ohmmeter or multimeter (continuity or low-ohms mode) across this switch, and then move the transmission selector to and through R to see if you have continuity when the selector is in R. Note that this is a static test that can and SHOULD be done WITHOUT the engine running, and the accessory power is also not required.
Should you get solid continuity when the selector is in R, then the switch is fine. If you do not get continuity when in R, but when moving to or away from R, or a little on either side of R, the fix might be a simple matter of adjustment of the switch and/or its mount. If no adjustment is provided nor possible, you may have to replace the switch. Replacement of the switch would also be necessary if NO continuity is noted at any position.
If the fuse and the switch are both fine, look to the connecting harness for a corroded or burned connector - happens in time due to dirt and water ingress - or, less likely unless physical trauma has occurred, a bad wire.
Once again, the wiring diagram would help make efficient use of your time, and would empower you in dealing with and occasional future problems.
The back-up light problem will probably be a fast and easy fix.
Best regards ... EGK
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: I am presently inclined to believe the neutral safety switch is at fault. Can you tell me where it is located? As well can you suggest a good reference to how it can be changed?
Park/Neutral interlock switches are most frequently mounted at the point where the selector levers couple to the shift levers on the transmission. On some older Fords with column-mounted selectors, they were found at the bottom (engine compartment end) of the shift column.
Wherever they are found, they will tie into their wiring harness via a plug-in connector and will be mechanically secured via bolts or cap screws.
If you cannot get the relevant pages from the OEM shop manual, the Haynes book for your car might have the information. Those books are not all that comprehensive however. A good alternative, if you find a helpful auto-electric shop, could be a print-out of the relevant pages from the Mitchell's on-line database used by most such shops.
Good luck ... EGK
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Answers by Expert:
Ernest (Ernie) Kenward
Expertise
The challenges I most enjoy are thoughtful technical questions of a trouble-shooting nature in both electrical, power electronic and mechanical systems, mainly automotive but also machine control and small-machine PLC applications. Please note, however, that I am NOT a walking shop manual! I DO, however, make it a point to have those manuals and other service literature for those vehicles I DO own, and highly recommend that anyone serious about maintenance or modification of their vehicles do the same; MOST of your answers WILL be found there. For that matter, I do NOT go out of my way to acquire shop manuals for any vehicle I do NOT own! That being the case, any general query to me along the lines of "What is the meaning of this code read from the ECU of my 2015 XYZ?" or "Where is the fuse for the windshield washer pump found?" (try your car's electrical distribution panel for a start!) will not go far. What I do offer is a pretty good collection of literature, insights and hands-on experience with 1950s to 1980's Ford products (plus a developing database of information and practice with the Mercedes diesel cars), along with an engineering perspective and the ability to design and implement custom control, electrical and mechanical subsystems for vehicles. For that reason, I am happy to make my thoughts and efforts available to those who are of like mind and/or are seriously making a point of learning about their vehicles. Use the Opportunity to Learn!
Experience
A key skill in my work and hobby pursuits both is STRATEGIC TROUBLESHOOTING. I am a senior instructor in Electrical Engineering Technology at a leading Canadian polytechnic, my areas being Electrical Power and Industrial Control, electrical and electronics design and manufacturing, and AutoCAD and related CAD/CAE software - plus equipment problem-solving and new equipment design and prototyping.
Hobby-wise, I have 30-plus years of experience in auto restoration, mostly in electrical and mechanical systems. Ongoing projects include a 1959 Edsel Corsair, my 1978 Ford E250 class-B motorhome conversion, and the care and upkeep of my Mercedes 300CD.
My vehicles become engineering test beds for electrical and mechanical upgrades as ideas present themselves. This includes the design and production of circuit boards to restore or enhance features for which no OEM replacement parts are obtainable, or where better specifications or reliability can be had via newer concepts. Regarding the E250 RV conversion, I designed and continue to revise a custom power distribution system, managed by a Programmable Controller (PLC); this has made most revisions as easy as uploading new firmware as I develop it.
The "mini" PLC is a powerful device for custom automotive control systems. One good example (there are many) would be the Moeller "Easy Relay"; these offer a wealth of control, monitoring and variable-and-status display options for such projects. A good example project which has worked well is that one for my RV noted above, which has been on the job - revised in firmware only - for a decade now. It is a load management and charging control system to avoid the sulfation-induced early failure that often befalls deep-cycle batteries used in RV power applications. The battery installed in 2003 lasted long enough to more tnan pay for the PLC that contributed to its longer life ... and the PLC will be there for the next battery as well!
Organizations
IEEE - senior member ... past WCC Student Activities;
SME - senior member ... past chair, greater Vancouver chapter chair 318;
Edsel Owners' Club - have served in various capacities on chapter executive during seventies;
have been Power and Driveline resource on the Edsel Owners' Club "E-team" for more than a decade.
Education/Credentials
Graduate of UBC
Awards and Honors
Certificates of appreciation from IEEE and SME for work in student and chapter activities
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