Reverse and back up light

[96ExplorerSport]

Hi,

I hope this is the right forum for my question. My back up lights do not always come on when I put my car in reverse. If I go from Park to Reverse they usually come on. If I go from N or D to Reverve they usually do not. I can always make them come on if I wiggle the shift lever up/down a bit. I am not sure what controls back up ligts. Is there a switch inside shift lever assembly that I have to replace, or, is it something else? I forgot to mention that Reverse always works, even when back up lights do not come on.
This makes me think that it's a switch inside shift lever asembly that's at fault.

My X is 96 4.0 OHV with 4 speed auto.

Thanks,
Sergey

 

[96ExplorerSport]

Never mind. I found out that DTR sensor is in charge of back up light. I am going to adjust or replace it. Also, I found multiple links about band adjustment. Is this for the sensor or for the transmission? I am not clear about this.

 

[Glacier991]

Band adjustment is for the transmission. The DTR sensor is adjusted itself.

 

[96ExplorerSport]

Glacier,
According for my Haynes manual DTR can be adjusted using a special tool, or, by using back up lights. I wonder what this tool look like. Also, when is it recommended to do band adjustments? My transmission has 160K miles on it and I doubt anyone has ever adjusted band.

One more thing, given my problem, do you suggest replacing DTR or move it around until back up lights start working?

Thanks,
Sergey