What to Do When the Reverse Light Doesn't Work?
2 Answers
Here are the inspection methods for when the reverse light doesn't work: 1. Check if the bulb is damaged; remove the tail light and take out the bulb to see if it's functioning normally. 2. Check if the fuse is blown; the reverse light fuse for most cars is located inside the dashboard. Follow the fuse box's instructions to locate the reverse light fuse, and you can pull it out to see if it's melted. 3. Inspect the reverse light power line. 4. Check if the reverse light switch is in good condition; unplug the reverse light switch connector and use a wire to bridge the switch. If the reverse light turns on, it means the reverse light switch is damaged. If it doesn't light up, the switch is fine. 5. Check the ground wire.
I've been driving for decades, and non-functioning reverse lights are quite common, mainly due to burnt-out bulbs or blown fuses. Like the last time my reverse lights suddenly stopped working, I just checked the fuse box to find the relevant fuse labeled for the reverse lights—easy to replace. If the fuse is fine, then remove the bulb to check if the filament is broken. It's simple enough to buy a new bulb and install it yourself; the bulb is located inside the rear light housing. If that still doesn’t fix it, it could be a loose wire or a faulty reverse switch. I recommend not forcing it to avoid causing a short circuit and damaging more components. The easiest solution is to drive to a nearby repair shop and let a mechanic test it with a multimeter. Remember, non-functioning reverse lights are extremely dangerous, especially at night or in parking lots—poor visibility increases the risk of hitting a wall or a pedestrian. Don’t delay fixing it.
