No back up lights??
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2008
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No back up lights??
This is driving me crazy... When I bought the truck the backup lights didn't work, I replaced the bulbs and sockets still nothing. So I think it's the neutral saftey switch so I buy a new one and install it. They worked for about a two weeks then back to nothing. This is tied in with the wipers and they work so I know it's not a fuse. I go down and look at the NSS and it's a little oily from the tranny so I figure somehow it shorted the switch. I take it back and have it warranted out and get another new one and installed it just a little bit ago and nothing
. Where do I go from here?? I want them to work like they should
. Where do I go from here?? I want them to work like they should
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
With the truck off, turn the key to run, and have a buddy stand behind the truck watching the lights while you run through all the gears. There might be some slack which only makes them come on between park and reverse, etc. You might want to check the new switch with your multimeter set to continuity, or resistance if you don't have that. Then you can check the functionality of the switch. It's a pretty common problem for these switches to fail because of leaking ATF and other engine grime.
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Elder User
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With the truck off, turn the key to run, and have a buddy stand behind the truck watching the lights while you run through all the gears. There might be some slack which only makes them come on between park and reverse, etc. You might want to check the new switch with your multimeter set to continuity, or resistance if you don't have that. Then you can check the functionality of the switch. It's a pretty common problem for these switches to fail because of leaking ATF and other engine grime.
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
In that case, you'll just have to start at the source and work your way down the circuit with your meter until the power cuts out. First check for voltage at the switch, then check the switch for continuity. It's cutting out somewhere, unfortunately the only real way to pinpoint it is to check the whole circuit. Deducing that the fuse is good by observing that the windshield wipers work is about the only shortcut you can take. That is, unless someone has hacked up the original wiring, in which case it's anybody's guess.
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2003
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Bad grounds at the sockets can keep you back up lights from working. Remove the socket and take out the bulb. With the key to the "ON" position and the transmission in reverse, you should find 12 VDC at the center contact in the socket. If you do, then its a bad ground at the socket. If you don't find 12 VDC, then you problem is further up the wiring.
You can also check for continuity between the side of the socket and chassis ground.
The backup lights on my Supercab didn't work when I got it. I first found a blown fuse, then the NSS was bad, a bulb was bad and finally a socket was bad. I now have backup lights but it was a lot of work.
Good Luck!
You can also check for continuity between the side of the socket and chassis ground.
The backup lights on my Supercab didn't work when I got it. I first found a blown fuse, then the NSS was bad, a bulb was bad and finally a socket was bad. I now have backup lights but it was a lot of work.
Good Luck!
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Coal Country, ND
Are you sure? My 79 f250 isn't. The washer pump is tied to the reverse lights but not the wiper motor.
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Joined: Dec 2007
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as of last month mine dont work either, but they did..Iknow the bulbs are good and all tho because my trailor wiring is jacked up. When i had a combo of brake, turnsignal and and/or runnin lites the reverse lights flashed with the turn sigs. . so the bulbs are capable of lighting up and the fuses are good also. How much is tha NSS?
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MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
Bingo! The wiper washer uses the same fuse as the backup lights, but the wiper motor itself uses a circuit breaker integrated into the wiper switch. I just checked my 79's manual. Great catch.
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Elder User
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Both my washers and wipers work... Where is the circut breaker? I looked for one at the fuse bos and don't see any just the glass fuses???
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Elder User
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Never mind on that last question about the circut breaker..(intergrated in switch) I read too fast sometimes...
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