Hi, I just found this forum after searching for God knows how long. Hopefully someone here can help me out. I've searched Google numerous times but found nothing. Just so we're on the same page I am driving a 1995 Cutlass Supreme.

I drove home last night, parked my car and went to bed. This morning when I opened the door, the interior lights did not come on. The car did not start, the stereo did not come on, the windows did not work and the auto door locks do not lock.

I'm a complete idiot when it comes to cars but my first thought was a dead battery. I am currently charging the battery but it doesn't look like it will fix it. I noticed though that my reverse lights stay on! This is brand new to me and the car. I tested it out putting it in every gear (automatic trans) and in every gear the reverse lights stay on.

Is it possible that my reverse lights were on in Park and lead to this? I just really need some insight from people who know what they're talking about. Thanks.

Hi Rich B, hello everyone,

Welcome to TOC.


Am I the only one who has trouble with that statement?

Regarding your problem:

Not just possible. Highly probable.

Backup lights will drain a fully charged battery in a few hours. If your battery is in good shape, you can charge it and it will be fine.

You need to address the reason it went down. Temporary fix is to remove the offending light bulbs (before charging) so the battery will hold its charge. Then you can have the lights fixed and put the bulbs back in at your convenience.

If someone here knows what else is on that circuit, they might suggest you pull the fuse as an alternative.

Regards, Norm

my best guess is that the reverse switch is shot. so, i would check that out if i were u. offcourse pull out the bulbs, so the battery will not drain. also, IF the batterie is in good shape, it will charge again, if its a old batterie, u better buy a new one, cuz the old one will be weak..

Back-Up Light Switch - NAPA Item#: ECHNS6553 - $85.99


This happens to be a somewhat simple circuit, it is hot at ALL times. That means it has electricity going through it all the time, and that switch is the only thing controlling whether the reverse lights are on or not.

The fuse is located in the under the hood fuse block. Apparently there are two fuse blocks under the hood, not to mention the one on the right/passenger side of the dash. One is located on the right/passenger side of the engine compartment, right up near the front behind the headlight. The other is located on the left/driver side of the engine compartment, mounted to the strut tower.

The fuse block on the right/passenger side is the one that has the fuse you need to pull to temporarily to stop the reverse lights from draining the battery. Should be labeled R/CMPT REL, 15A Fuse. This fuse controls only the Transaxle Range Switch, otherwise known as the Back-Up/Reverse Switch.





NOTE: DO NOT DRIVE THE CAR WITH THIS FUSE REMOVED

The transaxle range switch tells the computer what gear the car is in. This information is used for the torque converter clutch (TCC), exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), and the idle air control (IAC) valve. Consequently, with this fuse/switch disconnected, the idle quality and transaxle performance will be affected.

Now, this isn't that hard to replace...so I'll give a little info on how to replace it, whether you bring it to a mechanic or not is your decision.

The transaxle range switch is located on the left/driver side of the engine, right on top of the transmission.



Just a matter of disconnecting the connectors and unbolting it, and reverse for installation. It's recommended to have the battery disconnected while replacing it.

Hope that helps,
TOC Admin
Brando

Hi all,


Being old does not make it weak. Since he did not indicate any prior battery problem, he should do as I suggested. Based on the information given, his battery is in good condition if it holds a charge. Obviously, if it doesn't take a charge at all, it's junk.

If he has any concern about it's condition, he should start by having it tested. The results will show its condition.

Having said that: There are some, who will buy a new battery "just to be safe". I think most here know how I feel about wasting money by replacing a perfectly good part.


Excellent post. I tend to forget how much factual information you have at your disposal.

Don't know what his budget is, but there are many that have to plan for a $90 expenditure. If, for that reason, or another, one needed to "buy some time", one could still pull the bulbs in order to drive it.


Or dead?

Regards, Norm

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the help. Brando's explanation really helped.

I attempted to charge the battery but it did not work. I later attempted to jump the car. The car started but quickly died when I pressed down on the gas pedal. The SECURITY light also came on and stayed on, which it's never done. I pulled the battery and brought it down to AutoZone to have it tested, they told me it had 0 electrolytes. Hope that spelling is correct. So I guess I do need a new battery.

I did pull the fuse as Brando suggested and the car started, although without the battery while I was using jumper cables. It ran fine and did not die even when I pressed on the gas. So obviously that was part of the problem as well. My question is, where do I find a Transaxle Range Switch to replace my faulty one, and about how much do they usually cost?

Thanks again.

Well... It sounds like you also have a security function aswell...

Some of them used the reverse lights for a minute after you shut the car off to "guide" you into your house at night time. What would control the reverse lights in this application? Maybe its worth testing the security system also, before you go buy the reverse switch? (Or did yours even use the reverse lights???)

88delta88: The security system (pass-key II) is connected to the transaxle range switch. If it is in fact stuck in reverse as we think it is, than that certainly would be a probable cause for the security light to pop up. Thinking that it's in reverse while starting it up. It also could have just been a fluke due to having the battery disconnected for a while.

Rich B: store, part number, and price were all provided above. I'm sure other part stores would carry it...but NAPA is the one I deal with.

TOC Admin
Brando