I bought a '77 F250 last week, and I am fixing the stuff I need to pass inspection. It's all set now, except for the reverse light switch. The reverse lights seem to be in good shape as well as the sockets. I suspect the switch is bad, but I can't know for sure until I find and test it. Where is it located?

By the way, the truck has a 400 CI engine and an automatic trans.

Thanks for any help,

Jason

 

'77 models the switch is mounted on top of the steering column under the dash just in front of the firewall. On 78-79's it's mounted on the transmission. A very common problem with these was the pin that activates the switch would break or fall off.
The switch bolts to the column with two short screws, there is a pin that is clipped to the shift tube. The pin moves the switch back and forth as the gearshift is moved. This same switch also activates the back up lights.

 

Is it in the same place as the 77 on a 74 F250?

 

Yup, 73-77 on the steering column, 78-9 on the trans.

 

This sounds like the neutral safety switch on my '74 – same switch and pin?

 

Yes, the same switch is used from before 1973 actually through 1977.

 

Oh. HAHA. I broke the neutral safty switch pin and just got it replaced. Ill have to play with the wiring harness or look for a fuse

 

If the switch is anything like the switch on same-era sedans (which is also column-mounted), the switch is adjustable - meaning you have to align it. You can do this by shutting the truck OFF, applying the parking brake, move the gear selector to reverse, turn the key to RUN, then loosen the screws and move the switch left or right until a helper sees your reverse lights turn ON - then make sure they go OFF when you move the gear selector out of reverse.

 

Thanks for the help guys.

It's been a while since I had time to look at the truck, but I located and pulled the swtich this morning. There are two sets of contacts there, so I am assuming one set is for the reverse lights and the other is the neutral safety. The pin coming from the column is in good shape. When I connect either set of terminals, the lights still do not come on. Am I right in assuming that one of the 2 sets of contacts should turn the reverse lights on when they are connected? Is there a wiring diagram somewhere for this truck?

Thanks,

Jason

 

Go to 1973-1979 Ford Truck Wiring Diagrams & Schematics - FORDification.net . They don't have a wiring diagram for the '77 model year yet but they do have one for the '76 model year. You should be able to use this for trouble shooting.

 

what about on a manual? is it in the same spot on the transmission? i have a flatbed and whoever put it on didnt hook up the reverse lights on it. so i am wondering what i have to do to get that working.

 

If the tranny is a 4 speed the switch is built into the tranmsission. If you have a 3 speed, the switch is on the steering column on the ENGINE side of the firewall