Back-Up Light Switch Location?

[Robb]

Hey Guys
I am doing a little work on a '97 F150. The reverse lights are out and getting no voltage. It is a column shift with a 4R70W, so it can't be much different than an X. I am at work and have no access to my manuals. I have a picture of the thing and it looks like it wraps around the shift column above the steering colum, but I cant find it there.

Am I even looking in the right spot? Along the column? Under the dash? On the tranny?

Thanks!!!

 

[410Fortune]

THE REVERSE SENSOR SHOULD BE IN THE TRANNY. MOST FORDS THIS ISA PRUPLE WIRE WITH A PINK TRACER.

I just wired my aux reverse light last week.......

 

[Shurup]

Not sure about F150 and Explorers, but as I know, on some other cars it is on the tranny.

 

[Robb]

Originally posted by 410Fortune
THE REVERSE SENSOR SHOULD BE IN THE TRANNY. MOST FORDS THIS ISA PRUPLE WIRE WITH A PINK TRACER.

I just wired my aux reverse light last week.......

WOW! I was WAY off!! Should the purple wire be my voltage out to lights? ANd I can tap that from the outside right?

Thanks!

 

[410Fortune]

I believe the tranny is the last stop on the wires way to the actual tail lights, but that may just be my Bronco, plus I am not at home so I dont have my books.

But yes ut should be the purple dude leaving the tranny harness, also you can VERIFY this by pulling a taillight and looking...there should be a ground (black) and te purple going to the reverse bulb.
Youc an tap into it anywhere, although it helps to have a book so you cna trace the wire from start to finish...

I simple soldered a single 12v fog light right in series with the stock reverse lights, tapping into the wires running along the back bumper.......

Works great! Anytime the shifter is in R it is on, even with teh truck off which means I can use it for loading/unloading the boat as long as the e brake is set......

 

[Robb]

THANKS FOR THE INFO!!

I got a Black and a Black/Red at the bulb and I know it doesn't have juice there. I just wanna check right as it is coming into and out ot the tranny to verify whether it is the switch or before/after the switch.

What a ******* tho! We just had that tranny out about 10K ago. I guess it would have been too easy to put the switch outside the tranny.