So, my reverse lights don't turn on when I shift into reverse. I have the 3Speed Auto W/Overdrive and the 302 Engine. It's to the best of my knowledge that the bulbs are good. I'm going to test them tonight when I get home, but the likeliness that all 3 of my reverse bulbs are out are very slim. Any ideas?

 

It could be a bad switch on the transmission, or it may simply be disconnected.. That would be the multifunction switch at the shift linkage..

 

Wait a minute, you said 3 reverse lights.....

These trucks only have 2 reverse lights, if there is an extra light back there the previous owner may have jerry rigged it and have them on a toggle switch somewhere..

The worst problems with these trucks are the previous owners..

 

Hmm... okay, it has the two reverse lights below the rear brake lights, I assumed the white light over the back of the cab was a third reverse light, would that be the cargo light then?
So check out the transmission for a disconnected plug for the reverse lights?

 

Yep, that's the cargo light.. Be sure to check all of the fuses out under the hood AND under the dash.. Unless the cargo light has been rewired to a separate switch or the bulb is blown it should come on with the interior lights. (open door) or (Headlight turned to the left until it clicks)

You might crawl under the truck as look over the wiring harness too and see if it looks OK, not jerked apart or any plugs undone..

Happy hunting!!!!

 

Alright. Thanks alot. I'll let you know how it goes.
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So, as previously suggested, I've checked all possible fuses and they are good, I replaced the bulbs in my tail lights for my reverse lights, and they still don't engage when reverse is used. So, I should check out the connection to the transmission for the reverse lights?
Any suggestions on how to fix this would be great, because backing up in the dark is a pain when no one else can tell I'm going to back up and when I can't see...

 

There is a sensor on the transmission at the shift arm called the MLPS (though some auto parts stores will call it a transmission range sensor or neutral safety switch). That sensor is attached to the transmission case via two small 8mm or 10mm head bolts. Either the sensor isn't aligned correctly (the bolt holes are slotted), it has failed, or the wiring to/from it involving the reverse lights is faulty. I'd start with confirming that it's aligned, then either break out the multimeter to test for power, ground, and continuity at that plug (you'll need a diagram), or replace the sensor.