How long does the backup light switch last?

Your car's reversing lights serve several very important purposes. Not only do they let other drivers (and pedestrians) know that you are reversing, but they also give you a degree of visibility if you…

Your car's reversing lights serve several very important purposes. Not only do they let other drivers (and pedestrians) know that you are reversing, they also give you a degree of visibility if you are reversing at night. Your reversing lights are activated using the reversing light switch. When you shift into reverse, the switch reports that the reverse lights come on. When you shift from reverse, the switch tells your reverse lights that they are no longer needed.

Because your backup light switch is located under the hood (usually on the gearbox), it's not that vulnerable and usually not prone to breakage. You also don't use your backup lights all the time, so the switch isn't subject to wear and tear on some of the other electrical components. Of course, all electrical components can fail, but you can usually count on the backup light switch to last a very long time—perhaps even the life of your vehicle. When problems arise with reversing lights, it is most likely a wiring problem or simply a burned out light bulb that is easy to replace.

Signs that you may need to replace your backup light switch include:

• Reversing lights only work sometimes
• Tail lights don't work at all
• Reversing lights are constantly on

You are required by law to have working reversing lights. Simply put, this is a safety issue, so if your reversing lights are not working, see a professional mechanic and replace the reversing light switch if necessary.