Reverse light switch trouble
 

I have a '81 F-100 : 302 , C-6 transmission . The reverse light switch , which mounts over the shifter rod where a neutral safety switch could also be located , has gone bad . With a bit of research it appears my trans , or at least the switch , was swapped for an '83 or newer model's - no big surprise as I knew the engine had been swapped . The only replacement I seem to find is the neutral safety switch which has 4 wires where my reverse light switch has only 2 [factory style plugs not generic] , otherwise the picture of the part looks the same . Is there any reason this would not fit and work with a little rewiring ? Thanks .

It should just plug right in without any wiring issues, you just are not using the Neutral Safety switch part of it.

The plugs aren't compatible . I figure that electrically it should be able to work , probably just a matter of swapping some connectors around or making up my own . Just checking to see if anyone had dealt with this and had trouble or could point me to which wires to use and which to ignore .

From what I have found the B/U light switch for you truck is that semi-circular disc on the side of the transmission with 2 wires (ones with 4 are B/U NSS combos found on all other engine / tranny combos). Napa sells the 2 wire replacements.

The NSS is located elsewhere and is a plunger style switch (LMC sells those). Coincidently my NSS has gone bad, and requires replacement, so if you can figure out where it is, I would be very interested to know.

80FlareSide , your description fits my switch perfectly . I tried every combination of reverse , back up , light , lamp and switch I could think of at the online sites - nothing like mine showed . If you should know a part # , it sure would help .

The Napa part number for the 2-wire B/U light switch is ECH NS16643

The LMC part number for the NSS is 47-0872

That NAPA # is the switch , don't understand why it didn't come up when I searched . But , Ouch ! , the price ! almost $84 !?. I'll buy the NSS type and make it work - it's 1/3 that or less . Your switch shows as for the AOD/AOT type trans , could it be on the transmission somewhere ? The manual I have does go into that trans very much and I can't find a location .

I have the full shop manual, and that doesnt detail it out that much either. The more I work on my truck (1980, Nov 79 Build) the more I find unique parts that dont fit any of the standards.

don't know if this applies to your situation but my 85 C6 has a switch that needs to be sort of calibrated. There is small hole in the side of it and the directions are to loosen the two bolts so the semi-circle assembly can slide on them and then rotate it slightly until you can push a wire or small drill bit all the way through the guts of the thing (it does come out the back but fits in half an inch when seated). Then tighten the two bolts. Maybe you do need another switch but be sure the one you have is aligned.

My switch is a similar semi-circle . I checked for alignment , even though it had not been touched in years ; by me , then moved it around while someone watched - nothing . I then wired across the body-side wiring ; lights lit = bad switch .

that is a sound verdict. I would take the opportunity to do surgery on that switch to understand what is in there and how it wore out. but thats just me. you never know how knowing might pay off later.

question about backup light switch
 

I can't find this switch in my 1980 F100 (3 speed manual on the tree), built April 80. Any thoughts?

A/T: Backup lamps controlled by NSS (Neutral Safety Switch).

EOTZ-15520-B .. B/U (NSS) Lamp Switch (Motorcraft SW-1579) / Obsolete

Last MSRP: $118.24 / Dealer net cost: $53.21.

Applications: 1980/82 F100/350 & Bronco C6.
:-bangheadIt's not the SAME :-X09 B/U switch! NSS only used with AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION!

You want EOTZ-15520-C .. Backup Lamp Switch .. I know because I gave you this part number yesterday!

Here are the applications for both the EOTZ-15520-B & EOTZ-15520-C switches:

I am not familiar with the std. 3 speed transmission and could not find a picture in my manual . Here is a link that shows the probable switch which has only 2 connectors . Duralast/Back-Up Light Switch (F408) | 1980 Ford F100 1/2 ton P/U 2WD 6 Cylinders E 4.9L 1BL | AutoZone.com I put in 6 cylinder but the transmission should be the same . The wires in the harness leading to it should be purple with an orange stripe and brown with a pink stripe .

Uh... This is C9TZ-15520-C .. B/U Lamp Switch-Use with Warner T-18/T-19 & New Process 435 4 speed M/T = Threads into shift tower.

Also 1984/89 Bronco II/Ranger 5 Speed M/T / The SAME switch has been used since 1967, here's a pic of it from the '64/72 truck catalog.