Hello Guys,

First of all, I would like to say that im new to the forum.

My dad decided to restore his 1980 F-100 truck, which is a nice project for him. He bought this truck brand new and has a lot of sentimental value to him and the whole family.

Today he asked me to help me look into the reverse/back-up lights because they wont work. But I cant find the reverse light switch. I've google it, but no specific information comes up. I bought the Haynes repair manual and looked at the wiring diagrams but it wont mention the location of the switch.

Does anyone have any diagrams/pictures where this reverse light switch is located?

 

Welcome to FTE.
What trany does the truck have?
Take it you checked fuses & bulbs?
Dave - - - -

 

Thank you Dave for the welcoming and response.

It has the C6 trany with a 302 engine.

Bulbs and fuses have been checked.

I think im missing one of these, is that correct?...but I will need to run wiring for all cables since i dont see any connectors near the trany.

Neutral Safety Switch/Back-Up Lights

 

The above is it. I am not sure how the truck is even running without the above switch, since the neutral safety switch is also included in the switch. That is why the switch has 4 wires, two switch the reverse lights, and the other two are the neutral safety which lead to the starter solenoid.

I am thinking this truck used to have a manual transmission? And the automatic was swapped in place? That would explain why none of the wiring is there. If that is the case you will need to find where the reverse wires were located on the manual transmission it may have had before.

 

1980 was a one-year-wonder with certain items, this is one of them. IIRC this switch is located on top of the steering column near the ignition switch when an automatic transmission is installed.

I think the wire colors are black/purple stripe, you can verify that by looking at the wiring colors where the bulbs connect in the back.

 

That sounds about right. 1980 did carry some stuff over from the 70's truck. Here's a thread on the 70's trucks and it looks like the neutral safety was still down on the side of the tranny, but the reverse switch was separate and located up on the steering column. Here's a link.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ht-switch.html

 

It was confusing. I would do my research and no solid answers would come up. But I managed to trace the wiring form the bulbs to the tranny, it was just missing the switch. I visited the local auto parts store and it was out of stock. I would order it online, it should work now.

Thanks everyone for the help and advise.

I have a one year subscription to Ford Pick-Ups F-100 - F-350 & Bronco (80-96) & F-250HD & F-350 (97) Haynes Repair Manual, if any one needs help let me know.

 

The ones hooked to the transmission are usually entombed in about two inches of sludge.

 

I agree with ctubutis, something in the back of my head tells me it was mounted on the trans in '79, moved to the column in '80, then moved back in '81

 

I'm thinking the OP has a manual transmission (he never specified nor gave any details) and people here just assumed an automatic. Those switches are attached to such transmissions and wired to accommodate.

I had posted pictures from the parts catalogs several years ago but they all went away when the hosting services started charging.

 

This one is mounted in the transmission (automatic). I just order it at Oreillys for 48 dlls. It should get here by Tuesday. Theres 2 types, a 4 wire and 2 wire.

 

Yes he did in post #3 but it looks like he has it under control based on his last post.


Let us know how you make out when you get the switch installed.
Dave ----

 

1978/79 F100/350 & Bronco use a different C6 NSS switch (D8TZ-7A247-A - located on trans) than 1980/82 F100/350 & Bronco C6 backup lamp switch (EOTZ-15520-B ~ SW-1579) also located on trans.

1977 and earlier: NSS located on steering column.

 

You are totally correct sir.

My truck uses the EOTZ-15520-B ~ SW1579. Thank you for the part numbers, that would make it a lot easier to find. Autoparts stores are stubborn about it, theyre saying that it doesnt exist.

 

Sounds like its an oddball switch, the regular parts stores usually only carry the most common and popular switches and other parts.