Backup lights and the law...

[EMD_DRIVER]

Our local constabulary was nice enough, to inform me that my backup lights do not work. Wasn't that thoughtful of him? I was told that I need to get them fixed ASAP, or I'd be eligible for a personal invitation to the local court house.

I went to NAPA and got an EC193 connector. That's the backup light switch connector that is needed for the ZF 5. I got home and installed it. I tested the switch, to be sure it worked. I also verified that I had the correct two wires from the MLPS harness. I think it's #298 and #140. I then verified that my wire connections were solid and turned the key on, for the test.

Since Murphy's been my close companion lately, it came as no surprise, to se no light coming from the backup lights. I checked everything I could think of, including having power to one of the wires when the ZF is in reverse.

After taking the tail light assemblies off, to make sure the bulbs were good (Which they were) I have no idea where else to look.

Any ideas?

 

[LCAM-01XA]

have you thought about installing auxiliary backup lights? That's what I did, factory ones ain't much good for actually seeing lighting up the area behind the truck, so I went with two floods behind the cab I couldn't be happier.

 

[Ironman03R]

Try grounding the lights. I've had to run a ground wire from the bumper to the frame before to make it work.

 

[EMD_DRIVER]

I'll probably dig into it again tomorrow. It could be a broken wire, from where I was moving the harness around.

I do plan on adding some extra "Work lights" because I like to see where I'm going!

 

[typ4]

That backup switch doesnt like high power thru it , I have 2 tractor floods on the rear and the switch poofed rather quickly. I have a relay back there now to take the load off the switch, lights are brighter also.
I cant believe he dinged you for no BU lights, must have been bored

 

[Diesel JD]

Mine don't work either and haven't for some time, is it against the law? I guess it might be. I was told I needed a neutral start safety switch I don't know what I need to make it work for the T18 I have in there now.

 

[The Warden]

Mine don't work either and haven't for some time, is it against the law? I guess it might be. I was told I needed a neutral start safety switch I don't know what I need to make it work for the T18 I have in there now.

I think it depends on the state....in fact, IIRC back-up lights weren't even standard equipment on cars until the '60's...and, for that matter, front turn signals weren't standard/required either.

I second what Russ said about running a relay....haven't done mine yet, but I have a set of flood lights I plan to put back there someday...

 

[LCAM-01XA]

I have my rear floods on a relay, I don't like running any high power through my switches. The relay is triggered by both a switch on the dash, and the MLPS on the trans, so they come on automatically when I go in reverse, but I can also turn them on when I'm (un)loading stuff in the bed.

The grounding issue is a good suggestion, Ford never put a good ground on any of their '80s and most '90s vehicles, I had to remedy the situation in my Lincoln a few years back.

 

[Devilish]

Did you have back up lights prior to the change over? You may have connected an incorrect wire. I'd use an ohm meter to verify the wire from point A to point B. Also, The factory light harness connector near the rear of the left frame railuses thin contact pins that break off very easily and are susepitble to corrosion.

 

[EMD_DRIVER]

Did you have back up lights prior to the change over? You may have connected an incorrect wire. I'd use an ohm meter to verify the wire from point A to point B. Also, The factory light harness connector near the rear of the left frame rail uses thin contact pins that break off very easily and are susceptible to corrosion.

My backup lights have always worked well... Until now. Once I swapped transmissions, they no longer get power. The more I think about it, the more I think it's a broken wire in the part of the harness, that I had to move..

 

[EMD_DRIVER]

Turned out to be a bad wire... It was in the part of the harness that I had disturbed.. Imagine that!

 

[sassyrel]

That backup switch doesnt like high power thru it , I have 2 tractor floods on the rear and the switch poofed rather quickly. I have a relay back there now to take the load off the switch, lights are brighter also.
I cant believe he dinged you for no BU lights, must have been bored

we have a cop like that in our town--course weve had words--------came home one night---11:30 pm--------------he met us--im 3 blocks from home--no one else around--and he spun it in the street to race after me--then told me i had my headlights on bright--so i forgot--wonder how he knew they were on bright--since none of the streetlights were burnt out???? hes a real puke -----

 

[Devilish]

Because the brights hurt his eyes. I can almost always tell when brights are on because of that.

 

[sassyrel]

Because the brights hurt his eyes. I can almost always tell when brights are on because of that.

the only reason that would be is he was half asleep--and it woke him up--which made him mad--but he likes me-----

 

[Agnem]

What are the odds that a cop is there to see that breif moment that you are actually in reverse? Don't buy any lottery tickets.