where is Reverse lights wire???
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where is Reverse lights wire???
I have a 1998 ford f-150 extended cab 4x4 with out the towing package and im trying to add some reverse lights and i need to tap into the reverse light wire but i do not know which color is it or where it is can anyone help thanks
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From: South Florida
Originally Posted by ttam31
I have a 1998 ford f-150 extended cab 4x4 with out the towing package and im trying to add some reverse lights and i need to tap into the reverse light wire but i do not know which color is it or where it is can anyone help thanks
Marc...
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From: Wickenburg, AZ
You can get a whole harness from ford that plugs in if you don't mind the cost.
Part Number YL3Z-13A576-GB
Otherwise, you can splice into the factory wire. Ford puts a dedicated trailer backup light wire right into the main harness for you. If you don't have trailer tow, the only part you're missing is that back section of harness I just spoke of. The harness going from the front of the truck up to your tail lights is identical. This main harness runs down you driver's side frame rail and quits near the spare tire. When you buy the trailer towing package, Ford plugs in the harness that continues the brake control, backup, and 12V+ wires to a Bargman 7-way at your hitch. If you don't get trailer tow, they plug in the rear section that has the 4-flat only.
The important thing here is that you can avoid the overload Steve is talking about if you can find that wire.
Part Number YL3Z-13A576-GB
Otherwise, you can splice into the factory wire. Ford puts a dedicated trailer backup light wire right into the main harness for you. If you don't have trailer tow, the only part you're missing is that back section of harness I just spoke of. The harness going from the front of the truck up to your tail lights is identical. This main harness runs down you driver's side frame rail and quits near the spare tire. When you buy the trailer towing package, Ford plugs in the harness that continues the brake control, backup, and 12V+ wires to a Bargman 7-way at your hitch. If you don't get trailer tow, they plug in the rear section that has the 4-flat only.
The important thing here is that you can avoid the overload Steve is talking about if you can find that wire.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Wickenburg, AZ
I did the harness switch on my 1998. If you want to avoid the worry of overloading your sotck backup light wiring, here's the wire conventions for the wires in question for that harness and where you can get the vackup light power from.
Dark Blue - Brake Controller Output Signal
Orange - 12V DC Power (Switched on with Key in ON)
White - Ground
Green - Right Turn
Yellow - Left Turn
Brown - Tail Lamps/Running Lights
Black with Green Stripe - Backup Lights
Even though my 1998 did not come with trailer towing, it had the 12V trailer charge relay and the trailer backup light relay plugged in from the factory. Mine is an XL, short box, 5-speed manual.
If you can get your hands on that black wire with the green stripe, I'd recommend it. That way, you'll have no worries about ever overloading the truck's backup light circuit. The trailer harness features of the newer Fords are fused independently, so a trailer wiring problem should not kill the truck's light functions.
Dark Blue - Brake Controller Output Signal
Orange - 12V DC Power (Switched on with Key in ON)
White - Ground
Green - Right Turn
Yellow - Left Turn
Brown - Tail Lamps/Running Lights
Black with Green Stripe - Backup Lights
Even though my 1998 did not come with trailer towing, it had the 12V trailer charge relay and the trailer backup light relay plugged in from the factory. Mine is an XL, short box, 5-speed manual.
If you can get your hands on that black wire with the green stripe, I'd recommend it. That way, you'll have no worries about ever overloading the truck's backup light circuit. The trailer harness features of the newer Fords are fused independently, so a trailer wiring problem should not kill the truck's light functions.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Newark
On my '96 there is a dead end round 3 pin plug with the Blue, Orange, and Black/green stripe. It is on the Driver side Frame rail at the rear. I used this plug to tap into the Brake controller wire. The back up lights are on this plug as well.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Newark
**Part Number YL3Z-13A576-GB**
Yikes, I think I could have used this on my '96. But its like $60 bucks. Would have made life easier though. And a cleaner install.
Yikes, I think I could have used this on my '96. But its like $60 bucks. Would have made life easier though. And a cleaner install.
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From: Fairmount, GA
Tas
does this plug receive power from the brake controller???
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2014
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From: Washington
If you have a brake controller plugged into the under dash connector, and the trailer wiring package then yes. You should have two plugs hanging out by the spare tire. One is gray, the other black, one 3 pin, the other 4 pin. The three pin connector has reverse lights, brake controller, and 12v; and the 4 pin has trailer lights, and the ground. You can get a Ford harness that plugs into them.
You might find better help HERE. This topic is about 1998 trucks, and the wiring is likely different.
Huh, this is my thousandth post.
You might find better help HERE. This topic is about 1998 trucks, and the wiring is likely different.
Huh, this is my thousandth post.
FTE Remembers
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 65,938
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From: Millersville, MD
The center conductor of your 7way plug is where the back-up lights wire should be. Test to see if you have 12v at the center conductor. If NOT (most likely it doesn't) you will have to open the plug to see if there even is a wire there. Again, most likely there isn't. If there is, it is prob broken somewhere.... you'll have to figure out where. If there isn't a wire there you will have to run one from the reverse hot...sorry, I don't know where that would be.
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