Reverse light shift neutral

There isn't a fuse for the reverse lights. The wires run threw the Neutral safety/range selector switch. Mounted on the transmission, under the shift cable.

Get a wiring diagram, possibly online, and trace the neutral position switch and cable. My guess is there is something loose or needs some TLC.

hard info to come by , if you look at base of steering collum you will see 4 wires on a plug 2 are for reverse lights and 2 are for neutral safety use a test light it figure out witch one it is.

neutral safety switch is bad or miss aligned this switch is located at the bottom of the steering column unless it's a standard then it was connected to the clutch pedal or stick shift depending on tranny option being it is a truck the most common spot was at the bottom of the column

It is electrical, could be initiated by mechanical (shift lever mechanics are pinching a wire in reverse) or a shorted wire or solenoid in the reverse light system or transmission solenoid circuit. Need a detailed wiring diagram to determine path of circuit for that fuse. That is where you need to start. Try your local library or dealer for a service manual. Look Online also.

neutral safety switch is no good or very far out of alignment.

Ford Neutral Safety Switch; Ford Reverse Light Switch; Backup Light Switch.

The Neutral Safety Switch wires in my 1971 Ford F100 are orange with a blue stripe.
The Reverse, or Backup Light Switch wires are black with a red stripe.

There are two sets of two wires across this combined neutral safety and backup light switch, for a total of 4 wires. Photos are at the end of this post.

The switch for the 1971 Ford F100 pickup truck is the same as in many other years and models. For details, including parts numbers, see the following quote from an expert at Ford Truck Enthusiasts:
http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/287185-back-up-light-and-neutral-safety-switch-2.html#post5601846

The neutral switch also controls the backup lights, and is the same 1967/77.

C7TZ-7A247-A .. Neutral/Backup Switch (Motorcraft SW-600)

There is no separate backup light switch..except on 1967/68 F350's.

Neutral switch location 1967/77:

The plastic half moon shaped neutral safety switch mounts on the outside lower portion of the steering column (NOT on the transmission!).

It's activated by an inverted Y shaped lever that snaps on the shift tube

D0TZ-7B097-B .. Lever, Neutral Switch Actuator = From FTE sponsor DIRECT FORD PARTS: Ford suggested retail price: $18.72 / FTE member net: $13.23.

The switch is also still available from Ford, but the website is down so I can't post the list & net prices. .

1978 is the FIRST year the F100/350's have the neutral switch mounted on the transmission. __________________

Bill // Retired Ford Parts Manager // SoCal Chapter member // Part Number Research: 1928/2001 FoMoCo vehicles.

IMAGES

Driver side of the neutral / reverse switch showing the travel slot for the switch arm, the return tensioning spring, and the arm.


The front, steering wheel side of the neutral / reverse switch after removal from the steering column. The switch's two functions are actuated when the lever in the column moves the switch lever shown here to different positions as gears are selected.


The neutral switch is installed on the steering column near the firewall, with 5/8" bolts into the steering column (visible hole) and down column from a rectangular opening in the column housing. The actuating lever for the switch is attached to the gear shift shaft inside the housing; the lever is visibly protruding from the opening in this image.


Back of neutral / reverse switch, showing the wiring attachments. Black with red stripe is the backup light wiring, Orange with blue stripe is the neutral safety switch, it prevents starting in gears other than neutral & park.

Back-Up Light Switch/Neutral Safety SwitchREMOVAL & INSTALLATION
(see Figure 1)

On automatic vehicles, functions of both the reverse lamps and the neutral safety switch are controlled by the shift position switch at the base of the shift selector. This multi-circuit switch also sends signals to the various electronic control units (cruise control, automatic transaxle ECU, etc.), keeping them advised of the selected gear.



Fig. 1: Reverse lamp and neutral safety switch functions are both controlled by a shift position switch at the base of the shift selector

To replace the shift position switch, firmly set the parking brake and block the wheels. Place the shift selector in N. Remove the console. The switch is located on the side of the shift selector, held by 2 bolts or nuts. Unplug the wiring connectors, then remove the switch.

When installing the switch, make sure the switch slider is positioned to align with the shifter arm or tab. Install the switch, tighten the retaining nuts or bolts and connect the wiring. Reinstall the console.

After installing the switch, check that the engine starts only in P or N; the starter should not engage with the shifter in any other position. Check also that the back-up lights come on when the selector is placed in R.

Hope this helps (remember comment and rated this).

Look in your owner's manual under fuses. There is a fuse for brake shift lock solenoid (fuse #1). You can still drive your car by turning the key on just enough to shift to neutral, and then starting it in neutral. You can shift to drive and reverse, but if you shift to Park then you have to turn the engine off and proceed as previously

Wow, never heard oof this happening. Yes on the sensors , reverse lights, neutral safety switch, and shift speed . Good luck.