Reverse lights inoperable - not switch

[Richard T]

My reverse lights are not working on my 97 Sport. The first thing I did was check the lamps and the sockets and they are both good. The next thing was to check the reverse switch think that it was the only remaining solution.

I pulled the switch and verified continuity when the plunger is engaged. I also reconnected the switch and manually engaged the plunger and was not able to get power to the reverse lamps. I then verified both the power and ground continuity at the reverse switch connector. Is the non 12v wire supposed to go to ground?

What else could it be? I am going to disconnect my trailer light adapter next to see if it is the problem. It started raining and I called it good for the day.

The trailer wiring adapter plugs directly into the factory supplied connector in the driver side rear cavity above and behind the rear wheel.

Any ideas will be greatly appreciated.

Richard

[fordem]

Essentially the reverse light circuit goes like this ...

Battery positive -> main fuse -> ignition switch -> ignition switched circuit main fuse -> turn/back fuse -> reverse light switch -> reverse lights -> ground.

You cannot verify power & ground continuity at the reverse switch connector - you can verify power and switch conductivity - the "non 12v wire goes to the lamps and through them to ground.

If you have power at the switch and conductivity through the switch when reverse is selected, then you have a problem "down stream" from the switch - either a broken wire, a bad connection or defective lamps.

The trailer wiring "tees" into the factory wiring and will not normally affect the reverse lamps (at least not unless there's a short that blows the fuse.)