Hi everyone. I have a '95 6.0 Convertible. My wing/spoiler brake light turns on, as do my license plate lights. But the reverse lights and the tail lights located on the rear decklid do not turn on. The taillights mounted in the rear quarter panel work fine. I checked the relay up front. I checked the bulbs. I can't quite get my big hands onto the harness plug that the trunk lid lights connect through to check if I have ground/voltage there.

Thoughts on what could be the cause? What should I check next?

Thanks,
Mike

 

The only lights in the trunk lid on US facelight cars are backup, rear fog lights, and license plate lights, no taillights. Test your rear fog lights (low beams on, ignition on, push the button). If they work, it's unlikely both backup bulbs would go out at once. I'd look at the backup light switch or other wiring issues first. Wiring and part location diagrams here:
http://jagrepair.com/images/AutoRepa.../jul1996en.pdf
Jon

 

Thank you. I didn't know the two inboard red lights on the trunk lid were fog lights. They work. So I'm down to the reverse lights not working. I'll work through the diagram to diagnose.

Mike

 

Mike - just to add that on US cars the lenses closest to the license plate (left and right) are dummies; you probably already knew that, but just in case

 

I did. I could see there were no bulbs in the back, as well as through the lenses. It was the fog lights that confused me, since I'm new to the XJS. I wondered why I had a fog light switch but no fog lights up front.

Now that I've isolated it to the reverse lights, it opens up more possibilities for me to check, i.e. reverse switch and reverse light relay. I'm hoping it's just a stuck or dirty relay.