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When I took delivery of my new '39 Packard Six Business Coupe, I noticed the backing lamps did not illuminate when the car was backed-out of the transporter. Reading the owner manual for a '38 Packard Six found on the packardinfo site, I noticed a reference on page 36 - the wiring diagram, that mentions the existence of a backing lamp switch. Anyone know where that switch might be located? There are several switches and knobs mounted on the lower front lip of the dash, that are not identified on page 14, the front view of the instrument board. Some of these switches and knobs look aftermarket. See attached photos. The 2 toggle switches on the left control the bumper-mounted running lights and electric fuel pump, respectively. The two dark colored controls that look a bit like maybe push-type, and the large tan control under the center dash are a mystery. I am reluctant to just start pushing buttons and find out the hard way they trigger the passenger ejection seat or something else not easily undone. Any insight would be appreciated.

If it was wired per factory and you have a full complement of lights, according to the section of this diagram showing some accessories the switch would have been to the extreme left of the panel rheostat and reading light switch. If you don't have the fog lights then maybe just left and next to the reading light switch. Since your car looks to have several non factory switches under the dash in non standard positions I think it will be a matter of just flipping a switch and seeing what works. Cannot speak to 39 but back up lights were optional on later years and could have been installed by a dealer long after the car was sold. When possible dealers would often mount switches per customer preference and not necessarily where the factory suggested.

If you cannot find an under dash switch, one possibility is later models had backup light switches operated automatically by the R-1 shift lever going into the reverse position. That is the bottom lever at the base of the steering column close to the steering box. The conventional body levers were differently shaped and positioned from Clipper levers so I don't know for sure what type bracket will mount but if an optional later light kit was installed by a dealer possibly something approximating the later switch was used too. You might look in that lower column area and see if there is any push plunger type switch that could be activated when the bottom lever is in the reverse position.

Here is a later type switch for reference as typically mounted on the Clipper and 22-23 series. If it was used on an earlier conventional body car not sure where or how it would be mounted on the column to be used with the different shaped shift levers.

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Large tan one in the center looks like the control for the cowl vent at the base of the windshield

HH56,
Thanks for the background information, and thanks for digging up a wiring diagram. It occurred to me to take a photo of the backing lights - they are stamped with Packard on the top, and look like they belong there, but the wiring looks modern.








Hope to find time to explore the mystery controls this weekend, and will share the discovery.

Correct that loom is not original. What's the wiring look like under it?

Very common the cloth wiring does not last 90 years so it was probably rewired.

I am not that familiar with prewar cars but just from the photo in the accessory books those don't look like factory lights. Mounting is different and the shape and position of the lens is too. Can't really tell depth of light assy from photos but IMO, the factory light looks like it may have a slightly longer housing than those on the car.

Typically the backup light of that era was only one unit and was mounted on the drivers side. A customer could buy a second kit if he wanted a pair so there are a few pre 51 cars out there with dual lights but backup lights in pairs didn't really become offered and installed until 51.

Here are a couple of photos from accessory books. The 39 photo is not great so I threw in the better quality photo of the 38 offering which to me looks to be the same assy.

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Thanks for sharing the stock backing light photos. I do not know when and by whom the car was restored. It spent the last two years in Florida, and before that Texas, but that is all I currently know. Those two mystery buttons at the lower edge of the dash are still that. The smaller one actually is a pull-type; neither appear to operate anything I can observe. The horn control, which I assume is in the center of the steering wheel, and what a classic that is, does not sound the horns. It is looking more certain that the dash guts will have to be accessed to track down where those wires go. Have not been under the car yet - maybe next week.

Really hard to try and second guess someone who has done their own mods. I know I am guilty of doing some but do try and leave diagrams for the next person to figure out whatever I have done.

One thing when you are testing switches for working the reverse light is typically in that era the headlights had to be on before the backup lights would get power. That could still be the case so if you had the headlights off the first time maybe try the switches again with headlights on.

The black button sure does look like an aftermarket horn button and if the center of the wheel button didn't work or the horn started to blow at inopportune times that was often a quick cure. You might see if the stock wheel button wire is coming out the center at end of the steering box and is connected to the main loom. That would be the original wire connection to work the horn relay and where it exited the box was often a point of shorting and other troubles as the old rubber insulation dried or got grease soaked and let the wire short.

Howard,
Thanks for the tips on how Packard may have configured the lighting to work. I also appreciate the insights on where to look for horn-related wiring and controls. Went for a cruise Saturday, 50+mph was effortless, what a solid-feeling ride.