Reverse lights don’t come on
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 57
Likes: 1
Reverse lights don’t come on
Trying to troubleshoot my reverse lights as they need to be functional to pass the state safety inspection before I can get a tag. Don’t have a clue where to start. All other lights work.
1970 ranger xlt w/302 and 3 on tree.
1970 ranger xlt w/302 and 3 on tree.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 197
Likes: 1
From: Chicagoland Metro area
My back up lights work intermittently. I have the automatic trans. I know my issue is with the reverse light switch at the base of the steering column. When the gear selector gets it in just the right position when putting it in reverse, the reverse lights do come on....sometimes. And even then, I have to jiggle the gear selector around a bit to get them to come on. When the weather warms up, I plan to get it fixed. It either needs a new switch, or the old one adjusted and cleaned up.
My guess is a similar situation with yours. Somewhere you have to have a reverse light switch that is activated by your gear shift lever going into reverse. You may have to get a flash light and get up under the dash and start tracking it down. Or, with a manual trans, yours may be on the transmission itself. I don't know. Somebody will probably be along that knows exactly where its at.
But, I am putting my money on the switch.
My guess is a similar situation with yours. Somewhere you have to have a reverse light switch that is activated by your gear shift lever going into reverse. You may have to get a flash light and get up under the dash and start tracking it down. Or, with a manual trans, yours may be on the transmission itself. I don't know. Somebody will probably be along that knows exactly where its at.
But, I am putting my money on the switch.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 4,093
Likes: 14
From: Lind, WA- Eastern WA
I just saw that you have a 3 speed on the column. So the switch is on the tranny itself. Before you go under the truck; 1. did you check the bulbs, 2. if the bulbs are good, check to see if the ground is good at the light shell. Maybe take a short piece of wire and get a good ground (from the frame, or bumper) and then touch the light shell to see if they come on. Weak or missing grounds are the biggest problems on these trucks. If you get no power, and the fuse and blubs are good, then trace the wires back to the switch. If the wires are good, the most likely it's the switch.
Cross-Country
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 98
Likes: 3
The switch on a 3-speed is at the base of the steering wheel just above the rag joint. There should be a two-wire plug going to the switch. Remove the plug and jump the wires together, while the ignition switch is on. Backup lights should work. If they do, you have either a bad switch or misadjusted switch If they don't, there is a break in the wire to the twilight or bad bulbs
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 785
From: Simi Valley, CA
C9TZ-15520-F (replaced C0AZ-15520-A) .. Backup Lamp Switch-Use with 3 speed M/T (Motorcraft SW-938) / Obsolete ~ Available NOS & from auto parts stores.
1960/64 Custom/Galaxie/Galaxie500 / 1965/66 Galaxie/LTD/Falcon/Fairlane/Comet / 1967/77 Bronco / 1967/79 F100/250 / 1969/74 E100/300 / 1975/79 E100/350.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1967/77 F100/350 with A/T: The backup lamps are operated by the NSS (Neutral Safety Switch), located on the steering column.
C7TZ-7A247-A .. NSS (Motorcraft SW-600) / Obsolete ~ Available NOS & from auto parts stores.
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2018
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Thanks for all the replies, this gives me direction. Gotta say didn’t expect this many responses in such detail. I can see you guys are going to make me really enjoy owning this truck and coming to the site. I will update you all with what I find and I know there will be many more questions to come.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2016
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From: Barre Mass
That is the brake light switch. Reverse lights will be actuated when the trans is in reverse. You could always rig up a toggle switch and label it reverse.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 197
Likes: 1
From: Chicagoland Metro area
You may be right. The PO could have just taken it off, but, I would think there would be evidence it may have been there at one point. Do you see any loose wires or mounting brackets in that area?