[ssulli29]

So when I was trying to replace my tail lights the reverse light socket the ground came out of . I had it in gear with ignition on to test it and the ground hit the + feed so it shorted both reverse lights out. Oops
I checked under driver side steering column for all fuses relative to twilights /reverse lights and they are fine.
now I’m stumped I thought Ithought I blew a fuse and it would be easy. Any suggestions?
Thanks

 

[Leadhead]

Is it possible you blew the bulbs?

 

[DUTCH MAX HEADWORK]

Turn on your ignition and use a test light on the metal fuse holder of both sides of all fuses. I can't tell you which fuse because I don't know the year or make.

 

[Dean]

A lot of times the fuse is okay but not making good connection with one of the fuse holder clips.

 

[ssulli29]

Turn on your ignition and use a test light on the metal fuse holder of both sides of all fuses. I can't tell you which fuse because I don't know the year or make.

it is a 71 Malibu

 

[ssulli29]

A lot of times the fuse is okay but not making good connection with one of the fuse holder clips.

it was working before I shorted it

 

[blm]

If you set your multimeter on DC voltage and remove the bulb and then put the red lead on the contact in the bulb socket and the black lead to ground you should see voltage. If not probably blown fuse. Of course, key on, car in reverse.

 

[ssulli29]

If you set your multimeter on DC voltage and remove the bulb and then put the red lead on the contact in the bulb socket and the black lead to ground you should see voltage. If not probably blown fuse. Of course, key on, car in reverse.

thank you yes but where is the fuse its not in the holder with the others under the steering column

 

[ssulli29]

Is it possible you blew the bulbs?

thank you but no I checked that

 

[oldcutlass]

Backup lamp and directional signals use the same 20A fuse. If the directionals work the fuse is good.

 

[ssulli29]

Backup lamp and directional signals use the same 20A fuse. If the directionals work the fuse is good.

thank you. fuse is good they work

 

[ssulli29]

Backup lamp and directional signals use the same 20A fuse. If the directionals work the fuse is good.

correction. the fuse you mentioned is good they work but the reverse lights still out

 

[68elky396]

Did you already look at the filaments in the bulbs to see if they blew?

 

[68elky396]

Is it possible that they were not working before and you were not aware of it. I had the same problem a couple years ago. I ended up taking a wire brush to the base of the bulbs and cleaned them up real good along with the sockets, after that they worked.

 

[oldcutlass]

correction. the fuse you mentioned is good they work but the reverse lights still out

Time to get your meter out and see if you have voltage at the sockets. If no voltage there then you need to check at the neutral safety switch. If you have voltage at the sockets then your missing ground.

 

[ssulli29]

Time to get your meter out and see if you have voltage at the sockets. If no voltage there then you need to check at the neutral safety switch. If you have voltage at the sockets then your missing ground.

The car is stick it starts in any gear so I’m assuming that switch is bypassed.
There’s no power at sockets anymore

 

[oldcutlass]

The car is stick it starts in any gear so I’m assuming that switch is bypassed.
There’s no power at sockets anymore

Well then... was it originally a stick? If so you need to find the backup light switch and check for power and work from there.

 

[Leadhead]

I wonder if you didn't short out the reverse light switch.
EDIT: oldcutlass beat me to it

 

[LevonH]

If it's been converted from an auto to 4 speed do you have the back drive linkage hooked up? It rotates the collar on the steering column to the full counter clockwise position to activate the switch for the back up lights. The switch would be in the console shifter if a console car or the base of the steering column if it was a column shift car.

 

[ssulli29]

FIXED.
So the "DASH" fuse was blown and this was the reason I couldn't find it. Im not sure why it wouldn't have been under any of the relative fuses to the light but at least I found it.
Now I have to deal with this LED dilemma of a 2 prong relay. If I would've known this would've been such a fiasco I would've left my stocks in they were fine!
Thanks all for the replies