so,...i only have vehicle issues when i am about to get them imspected, travel long distances, etc....
if you own a ford super duty, and/or are mechanically gifted, would you please PM me?
my reverse lights are out, and ive checked all the fuses (that i know about), the bulbs, and all the wiring that i can see. does anyone know of some super secret hidden fuse somewhere that might solve this problem before i pony up for a mechanic?
Have you checked the wiring coming off the tranny under the truck? Could have been knocked loose or broken by road debris...
Quote from: NAKID on September 04, 2008, 01:07:02 PM
Have you checked the wiring coming off the tranny under the truck? Could have been knocked loose or broken by road debris...
yup...
The reverse light switch (might be incorperated into the neutral safety switch)? Shift linkage adjustment?
Is it an auto or manual?
Quote from: NAKID on September 04, 2008, 05:23:23 PM
Is it an auto or manual?
1999 ford
F250 super cab/super duty
8 foot bed
32 gallon tank
4x4
7.3L power stroke diesel
6 speed manual
201,000 miles
;D
Did you look/feel around on TOP of the tranny? Sorry, just trying to think of everything...
Quote from: NAKID on September 04, 2008, 05:57:08 PM
Did you look/feel around on TOP of the tranny? Sorry, just trying to think of everything...
far as i could reach
I guess you already checked the light bulb? Is it even a different light bulb than normal braking and turn signals? Iono, just trying to be useful :P
I think the wiring harness diagram is available on the Ford site somewhere. At least the transmission diagram is definitely available somewhere because there's a PTO available on the Super Duty that comes off the transmission, I would imagine that would include wiring.
Update I just checked the Ford site, they want you to pay for diagrams and publications. That's weak. All that stuff used to be free for body builders.
Reverse light switch sounds like to me. Might be able to ident it by checking the wire color at the bulb sockets and tracing back to the switch or check all switches on the tranny for that color wire(s). Then disconnect and supply power or jump it and see if you get lights. Replace accordingly...
Herm, now that I know the truck has a manual transmission, crawl under that big truck and look for a 2 wire switch towards the rear of the transmission. One wire is light blue, the other is blue with a pink stripe. Remove the connector. Jump the two wires. A paper clip will work. Turn the key on. If the back up lights work, the switch is the problem. If not, see if you are getting voltage to one wire at the switch. If so, the problem is between the switch and the lights or you have a ground problem.
HOWIE!!!
you rock my friend! you nailed it on the head. the switch is bad.
off to NAPA
Quote from: herm on September 06, 2008, 06:46:15 AM
HOWIE!!!
you rock my friend! you nailed it on the head. the switch is bad.
off to NAPA
Good news.
Quote from: howie on September 06, 2008, 02:19:53 PM
Good news.
unfortunately, the replacement backup switch works no better than the old one [bang]
Do they work when you bypass the switch?
Quote from: howie on September 06, 2008, 03:58:03 PM
Do they work when you bypass the switch?
yup.
did exactly what you suggested, even used a paper clip.
but when i put the new one from NAPA in, no love [bang]
Quote from: herm on September 06, 2008, 03:35:24 PM
unfortunately, the replacement backup switch works no better than the old one [bang]
Did you test the new switch with an ohm-meter?
Also not to be a dick head....but did you check the bulbs or the connector at the back of the truck?
As Nate said, test the switch with an ohmmeter if you have one. I'm not sure if the switch is closed by plunger in or plunger out. No ohmmeter? Remove the switch from the transmission. Reconnect the wires. Play with the plunger. Or you can use a test light, jumper wire and battery. If the switch works, try it turned in or out of the transmission, it may need a thicker or thinner crush washer like the Duc neutral lights sometimes do. If that doesn't work, you may have an internal transmission problem. I certainly wouldn't want to delve into that for reverse lights, so here is an alternative. From the connectors on the switch, run two wires up to the cabin. Attach them to a toggle switch. When the inspector tells you to put 'er in reverse hit the switch. Oh, check the fuse again. You might have shorted something.
In case we missed something, or if you plan on working on the truck yourself in the future, go here:
http://www.alldatadiy.com/?gclid=CKLd9qjEyJUCFRJexwodPGr-hg
Well worth the money.
Quote from: ducpainter on September 06, 2008, 05:50:46 PM
Did you test the new switch with an ohm-meter?
Also not to be a dick head....but did you check the bulbs or the connector at the back of the truck?
not to be a dick head back, but see the original post ;)
anyway, problem solved.
i needed to go out, reverse lights or not, and since we are having a tropical storm here, i took my truck.
backed down the driveway, and noticed a glow on the mail box..................
reverse lights work.
i dont know, maybe i needed to actually move the truck after putting the new switch on............whatever.
problem solved [thumbsup]
thank you to everyone who helped me out, especially howie [beer]
Quote from: herm on September 06, 2008, 11:06:12 PM
not to be a dick head back, but see the original post ;)
Did you see the frame to body connector at the rear? ;D