I have a 1985 F150 that still needs to pass it's inspection. So far, all I need left is the license plate lights and the backup lights.

For my license plate lights, i'll just wire new ones. However, for my backup lights, i'd rather just fix the current problem.

Sadly, I don't know the problem...

Any ideas?

Thanks!

 

Check your fuses.

Then check the switch on the side of the tranny. Go down to the driver's side of the tranny where the lever goes into the side, and you will see a half-moon plastic thing with wires going to it.

Two of the wires will be red/blue. These are the neutral safety part of the switch, ignore these.

The other two will be the back-up light wires. I believe one of them will be black/pink, I don't know what the other is. One should have 12v with the key in run. The other goes to the back-up lights. If you unplug the switch plug and jump these two wires together at the plug, the back-up lights should come on when you turn the key to run. If they do, the switch is bad. If they don't, go to the rear and find out what's wrong with the bulbs or the wiring back there.