No reverse lights

[cole71]

I have my wiring back together and everything works except for my reverse lights. I switched from a 3 ott to an automatic column and used the neutral safety switch. I thought the reverse lights worked off of the NSS?

The only other thing I've done is changed the wiring that runs to the tailights, but my brake lights, turn signals, and running lights all work. I did this to do away with my side marker light in the bed since I welded up the marker light holes.

Maybe someone can give me an idea what to look for?

[Calfdemon]

It is possible that the reverse lights work, but that they are not coming on due to adjustment issues with your NSS. Have someone go to the back of the truck and watch the reverse lights as you go through the entire range of gears all the way from park to the lowest gear and see if the lights ever come on at all. Your lights might be coming on between reverse and neutral, or between park and reverse.

I had a switch installed in the past that the reverse lights were not coming on when I was in reverse. With a small adjustment of the mounting screws of the NSS, you can move the switch slightly to each direction and in this case, that was enough to make sure the reverse light contacts were lined up with the reverse position in the steering column.

This would be the first step, if the lights still are not working, then it is not a NSS alignment issue and a wiring issue.

[cole71]

Oh, I forgot to mention the switch is not on the column. I just slide it over to crank the truck. Could this have anything to do with too?

[Calfdemon]

Yes... the NSS switch not only controls your safe start, but also controls your reverse lights. The reverse lights only come on when the NSS detects that your truck is in the reverse position. It is a 2 function switch.

If it is not installed on the column and you are just using it to start the truck by manually sliding it over, then your reverse lights never know when your truck is in reverse. If you have everything wired correctly, then have someone go to the back and watch the reverse lights as you slide the NSS all the way across. At some point during the travel of the switch, your reverse lights will come on.

[cole71]

Ok that's what I thought. I tried moving it slowly by hand, but maybe I need to mount it to the column.

[cole71]

Well I figured out my problem with my reverse lights...the neutral safety switch. Mine was so worn that it wouldn't make contact to send power to the back.

So I bit the bullet and bought one from advance, 90 bucks later and I have reverse lights and it will only crank in park and neutral.

[Calfdemon]

Ouch!! 90 bucks is hard to swallow for that little part. I have always pulled them from junk yards when I go and have always had good luck with them. But if that is not an option for you, then paying the 90 is pretty much the only other way to get it done I suppose.

Well, glad to see that you have everything working now!!

[cole71]

Yeah, I looked for a while for one with no luck. At least I didn't give 125 for one from a local parts house...