reverse lights , dome lights out

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Lights, Neon, LEDs, HIDs
Forum Discription: Under Car Lighting, Strobe Lights, Fog Lights, Headlights, HIDs, DRL, Tail Lights, Brake Lights, Dashboard Lights, WigWag, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=128773
Printed Date: May 01, 2024 at 4:59 PM

Topic: reverse lights , dome lights out

Posted By: richard c
Subject: reverse lights , dome lights out
Date Posted: October 09, 2011 at 9:32 AM

2005 Chevy Tahoe Z71

I finally got around trying to install rear overhead reverse lights.
It appeared and I was told by the seller of the lights that the wiring (pos & neg) didn't matter with these lights?
Installing the lights on... the roof was simple enough. I grounded each light as the pictures instructed, the second wire (for power), I used the "Spare" mounting hole on the roof to run inside.
I ran second wire (power) on the right side through to the left above the headliner, tapped on to the power wire of the left installed light and ran the two-in-one power light wire down the left side towards the tail light.
I am hoping I chose the correct reverse source... I spliced into this. On the rear of the reverse light bulb (driver's side), there was two wires; a brown and a blue/green looking color wire. I used this blue/green color wire as the power source?
Now I have no reverse lights and dome lights. I check all the fuses (I think) and they all appear good.
Got any ideas?

Replies:

Posted By: i am an idiot
Date Posted: October 09, 2011 at 6:10 PM

I am pretty sure that the vehicle BCM (body Control module) powers the reverse lamps. If I were doing it, I would have used a relay so that I would not tax the output of the computer.

Have you tried disconnecting all that you did to see if the revers lamps come back on?

Posted By: richard c
Date Posted: October 10, 2011 at 5:09 PM

Is there anyway to test the BCM to see if that is it or am I forced to take the chance to purchase one and find out?

I have not looked real hard but a BCM looks to be about $200.

I R EA L L Y would not like to spend BCM money if i can avoid it.

Do you have a link,.part number or more detail about a relay and what type... I am much more in the dark than I thought I was at this.

Thak you very much for your input.

These are the lights I have install... they look real good but would look much better if they would work - and my reverse tailights lights would work.

https://www.hella.com/produktion/Optilux/WebSite/AuxiliaryLights/WorkLamps/BuiltIn/BuiltIn.jsp

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Posted By: i am an idiot
Date Posted: October 10, 2011 at 8:33 PM

Do not pay much attention to this line, but please read the next two.

Have you tried disconnecting all that you did to see if the reverse lamps come back on?

Did you check all fuses in both fuseboxes?

Posted By: richard c
Date Posted: October 11, 2011 at 5:50 AM

Right now there are no wires coming from the hopefully newly added lights.

I have pretty much checked both fuse boxes.

The dome lights either went out at the same time or some time after while I was jerking everything around. This fuse, driver's side box, did need to be replaced. The dome lights work now.

Posted By: KPierson
Date Posted: October 11, 2011 at 5:57 AM

Did you use a volt meter to measure any wires before making connections? Why did you use the blue/green wire over the brown wire?

When checking fuses are you using an ohm meter or just visually checking them? They can get hairline cracks that are almost impossible to see with the eye - an ohm meter is the only way to properly check a fuse. As I am an idiot suggested I would unhook all extra wiring and go through all fuses with an ohm meter. Then, using a voltage meter, find the correct wires before hooking anything else back up.

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Kevin Pierson