electrical..wiring problem with my car...help please

[JacoLesFlea]

I just bought a 2000 Impala and before I drove it off the lot I really didnt give it a through walk around it looks decent, drives decent, and that was good enough for me...I went and had the oil changed and radiator flushed and filled and they told me that when I step on the brakes the reverse lights come on and when I shift into reverse they turn off.....what could be causing this? Other then that the car is serving its purpose.

[FL Knifemaker]

It's probably as simple as reversing some connections. I would bet it's back at the lights, inside the trunk. See if you can reverse the brake and reverse light plugs. Did they do any body work on the rear of the car?? I'm thinking someone re-installed the lights and never checked to see of the connections where right. It could be a problem at the dashboard but I would check the connections at the lights first.

Driving with no brake lights is not a good thing

[RWP]

Florida is right. Also this sounds like something that could be caused by incorrectly installing trailer brake lights. The average person knows less than nothing about auto electrical systems, yet they are willing to start cutting and splicing wires to add some electrical thing they want. I have seen nightmares caused by botched radio installation attempts.

[FL Knifemaker]

Originally Posted by RWP

Florida is right. Also this sounds like something that could be caused by incorrectly installing trailer brake lights. The average person knows less than nothing about auto electrical systems, yet they are willing to start cutting and splicing wires to add some electrical thing they want. I have seen nightmares caused by botched radio installation attempts.

Yes indeed. A trailer light harness could be the culprit.

[JacoLesFlea]

Originally Posted by FL Knifemaker

It's probably as simple as reversing some connections. I would bet it's back at the lights, inside the trunk. See if you can reverse the brake and reverse light plugs. Did they do any body work on the rear of the car?? I'm thinking someone re-installed the lights and never checked to see of the connections where right. It could be a problem at the dashboard but I would check the connections at the lights first.

Driving with no brake lights is not a good thing

Thanks I will check when I get home...the break lights do illuminate along with the reverse lights...kinda like stopping and reversing at the same time.....People behind me at stop lights keep there distance........hey mabey this is a "good" problem.

[FL Knifemaker]

Originally Posted by JacoLesFlea

Thanks I will check when I get home...the break lights do illuminate along with the reverse lights...kinda like stopping and reversing at the same time.....People behind me at stop lights keep there distance........hey mabey this is a "good" problem.

Like RWP mentioned, this is sounding like a trailer light harness issue. Does it have a trailer light plug??

[JacoLesFlea]

Originally Posted by FL Knifemaker

Like RWP mentioned, this is sounding like a trailer light harness issue. Does it have a trailer light plug??

I am not sure, where would it be if it does???

[FL Knifemaker]

Originally Posted by JacoLesFlea

I am not sure, where would it be if it does???

Under the rear bumper, near where a hitch would be. The car might have been used to tow a UHaul trailer and they tie in a temporary harness for the trailer lighting.

[JacoLesFlea]

Originally Posted by FL Knifemaker

Under the rear bumper, near where a hitch would be. The car might have been used to tow a UHaul trailer and they tie in a temporary harness for the trailer lighting.

Thanks I am on my way home, I will check when I get there.

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by JacoLesFlea

Thanks I am on my way home, I will check when I get there.

i've seen that from using the wrong bulb .....the most common error seems to be with dual filament bulbs

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

Originally Posted by Jim Campbell

i've seen that from using the wrong bulb .....the most common error seems to be with dual filament bulbs

Yup. Often the culprit is that a dual-filament bulb is in a single socket, or vice-versa, or a bulb isn't seated properly in its socket.

As already mentioned, an improperly wired trailer harness could also cause a problem like that.

Also, a missing ground (chassis) connection on the taillight assembly or its harness can cause odd light behavior, too.

And in plastic taillight assemblies where each bulb is in a separate twist-mount socket, sometimes the cause is as simple as the bulbs and sockets are put into the wrong lenses.

[JacoLesFlea]

Thanks to everyome for the input...I took it in and it ended up being wiring shorting out in trunk lid it was effecting said problem along with push button trunk release and the third break light, they replaced wiring harness and fuses...so a 15 dollar part and 100 dollars labor I am all set.

[FL Knifemaker]

Originally Posted by JacoLesFlea

Thanks to everyome for the input...I took it in and it ended up being wiring shorting out in trunk lid it was effecting said problem along with push button trunk release and the third break light, they replaced wiring harness and fuses...so a 15 dollar part and 100 dollars labor I am all set.

OK, that was what I was going to say it was..........next

[JacoLesFlea]

Originally Posted by FL Knifemaker

OK, that was what I was going to say it was..........next

Appoint was at 10 am he was finished with it at exactally 11 am....I dont think the job took an hour...but they did get the 100 an hour labor though.

[FL Knifemaker]

Originally Posted by JacoLesFlea

Appoint was at 10 am he was finished with it at exactally 11 am....I dont think the job took an hour...but they did get the 100 an hour labor though.

Yup, labor and shop time are at a premium these days. I don't often charge by the hour but for some projects I have to. If I'm not taking in $100 per hour, it's just not worth taking on the job.