Reverse lights not working
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More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 553
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From: North Western New Jersey
Reverse lights not working
My reverse lights don't work. Has anyone had a similar issue? I'm pretty sure it's the switch and at $90 at the box auto parts store I'm not replacing it...I'll figure out how to rebuild it myself. Figure I'd try here first. Anyone have a similar issue and fixed their switch?
Thanks
Thanks
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,560
Likes: 1
auto or manual?
i've had a couple of manual trucks lose the wire harness from frame to transmission, resulting in the loss of lights.
personally, i have a toggle switch on the dash and a pair of 55w halogens cut into my bumper https://www.dropbox.com/s/0vfdvdl6pv...2012.29.00.jpg
i've had a couple of manual trucks lose the wire harness from frame to transmission, resulting in the loss of lights.
personally, i have a toggle switch on the dash and a pair of 55w halogens cut into my bumper https://www.dropbox.com/s/0vfdvdl6pv...2012.29.00.jpg
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
From: Texarkana, Arkansas
My backup lights did not work either. Take a voltmeter and see if 12 volts is present with the transmission in reverse. Mine is a manual transmission and I am not sure that the automatic would be different. I found that I did not have a good ground connection at the sockets. That fixed my light issue.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
1980/82 C4/C5 different than 1980/86 C6, different than year specific AOD. 3 M/T different than NP435/T-18/T-19/RTS SR-OD 4 M/T. 1980/82 RUG TS-OD different than 1983 RUG TS-OD 4 M/T.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 924
Likes: 4
From: Johns Creek GA
When I went to diagnose my non-functional reverse lights, one of my problems (the switch on the side of the transmission was also bad) was that I had factory-original bulbs, complete with factory-original dielectric grease (or the 1980 equivalent, anyway) in the sockets that had hardened and begun to crumble into dust. Once I chipped the crud out of the sockets and used a Dremel to clean the contacts, power miraculously returned...
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More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 553
Likes: 6
From: North Western New Jersey
Hey Folks,
I just wanted to give a follow up... I located the reverse switch on the side of the tranny. I pulled the switch that was entirely caked up in road grease. I scraped all the grease off, scrubbed it clean, drilled out the rivets and cleaned up all the internal contacts. I re-greased (electrical grease) the contacts and re-riveted the case back together. I slapped it back on the vehicle and have reverse lights! Woo-Hoo. take that $90 parts store replacement part...
While I was doing work on the reverse lights I also added in a set of 55 watt 'work lights' under the rear bumper that come on when I shift into reverse and put a bypass switch in so I can flip them on when I'm trying to hook up a trailer, etc. Its nice to have an additional 110 watts of light when I'm trying to back up at night
I have a cap on the truck and stuff blocking the windows so its' hard to see reversing, even during the day, plus anyone behind the truck now will get blinded and can't say they didn't see the truck was in revers.
Thanks for your help!
I just wanted to give a follow up... I located the reverse switch on the side of the tranny. I pulled the switch that was entirely caked up in road grease. I scraped all the grease off, scrubbed it clean, drilled out the rivets and cleaned up all the internal contacts. I re-greased (electrical grease) the contacts and re-riveted the case back together. I slapped it back on the vehicle and have reverse lights! Woo-Hoo. take that $90 parts store replacement part...
While I was doing work on the reverse lights I also added in a set of 55 watt 'work lights' under the rear bumper that come on when I shift into reverse and put a bypass switch in so I can flip them on when I'm trying to hook up a trailer, etc. Its nice to have an additional 110 watts of light when I'm trying to back up at night
I have a cap on the truck and stuff blocking the windows so its' hard to see reversing, even during the day, plus anyone behind the truck now will get blinded and can't say they didn't see the truck was in revers. Thanks for your help!
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Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,560
Likes: 1
i would suggest having a switch that also allows you to turn those lights firmly off, say you're having to back up a few feet in traffic somewhere, when you don't want to blind people...
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Thread Starter
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More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 553
Likes: 6
From: North Western New Jersey
I did install a 3 position switch so they work in reverse, can be completely turned off or be turned on without being in reverse when I need worklight. As much as I wanted to blind people I kept that in mind
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