No backup lights

[wa1vvs]

Hi guys,
Here is a good one for you. I have a 1992 Explorer with manual trans. Has anybody had this happen . I was driving along on a country road with someone behind me doing about 10 mph coming to an s turn when I smelled wires burning and smoke coming from under the dash. I turned the key off and the steering wheel locked as the wheel was turned to the left(STUPPED LOCKING IDEA). I turned the key on and turned to the side of the road and turned the key off. I opened the door and let the smoke clear. After about 5 min. I started it up and saw no more smoke. I went to my destination and came back home with no problem. I checked all the fuses and #5 was melted and distorted but was still good. I had turn signal lights but no backup lights. I unplugged the connection on the trans for the switch and checked for voltage with the key on. I had no voltage. I checked for continuity and I had continuity from the hot side to ground. I guess have a short somewhere. Where?
Thank you for the help.

 

[wa1vvs]

Hi guys,
Thank you all for all your help! You all are very knowledgeable.

 

[Maniak]

Did you find it? If not, my wiring issues (also had a short to ground, but it was the tail lights) were tracked to the harness in the drivers rear quarter panel... I disconnected that harness and the issue went away... I turns out I had 2 issue... It looks like a wiring wasn't protected and shorted against the body which then melted that connector in the back/left of the vehicle. Once I fixed those 2 issue I haven't had an issue like that it years... I did have to replace the headlight switch soon after but I can't say for sure if that was related, but it is possible.

If you find the issue is farther forward, the reverse light switch is on the side of the transmission and since it's pretty unprotected under the right I'd check to make sure it didn't get pulled out or eaten by oil etc to the point where it is shorted.

~Mark