Backup light wiring

[Speedster 229]

I have hooked up all the wiring on my 70 1/2ton 2wd but the backup lights don't work. The truck originally had a turbo 350 trans which I swaped for a 700r4. How can I make the backup lights work when the gear shift selector is in reverse?? I wish the searce feature worked as I'm sure this has been discussed before. Thanks in advance for the help.

[COBALT]

Yeah, it has. And it generally ends up leading to a discussion about a poor ground or the neutral safety switch (a horseshoe shaped switch at the base of your column next to the firewall inside the cab - it has a sliding actuator inside that goes over a small tang inside a hole in your column). If you're not getting power to the outlets then I bet that switch is broke or shorted out.

Make yourself a small jumper wire you can use to bypass the switch. The switch contains both the circuit for the backup lights and the switch to cut off the ignition if the gear selector is not in park. Both sides of the switch can be jumpered to determine if the switch is broke. If your backup lights come on by jumping the switch then your switch is bad.

If it is broke you can get an easy replacement from any good parts store. To adjust it once it's in just loosen the screws that hold it in place, turn your key on with the truck in reverse (and engine off), and move the switch until the reverse lights com e on. Mark that spot on the column. Then turn the switch until the lights go out, and mark that spot. Split the difference and tighten the screws.

[Speedster 229]

Thanks a million. I'll check it out tonight. The ground is good so your probably right on target about the switch.

[Z28Owner]

Does all this apply to a truck with a manual transmission too? I have a 3 speed that has been converted to the floor. I can't get power to my reverse lights either.... Thanks -Jason

[Z28Owner]

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