General Technical & Electrical General technical and electrical discussion for the Ford Ranger that does not fit in any other sub-forum.

Backup light switch location help

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Old 03-28-2011
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Backup light switch location help

Hey Guys, my reverse lights don't work...blows a fuse every time i put it in reverse. Its a 95 4cyl automatic. Ive read its on top of the transmission and you need a lift to help but I believe I can get to it if I knew exactly where on top it is. There are so many wires I cannot see which one it is...any pictures or guides would help.

BTW Ive changed the bulbs, they are still new and not blown, the OD is also controlled by this fuse but it works up until the time I shift into reverse...so logic tells me it has to be the reverse circuit not the OD.
 
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Old 03-28-2011
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The reverse light switch is an internal part of the Transmission Range Sensor and is not serviced separately. The 95 TRS is on the driver side of the transmission case and has 8 wires going to it.

Before condemning the TRS, I would check into the wires to the O/D Cancel Switch. It is very common for these wires to chafe through the insulation and break completely or short to ground when the lever is moved into certain positions. To check the wires, take the plastic trim off of the top of the steering column and look where the 2 wires exit the hollow shifter.
 
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Old 03-29-2011
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Good input rwenzing, thank you, I will look at that. One thing I did figure out is that it only blows the fuse when I put it in Drive. If I put a new fuse in and put it in reverse the lights work fine, as soon as I shift into drive it shorts and blows the fuse. Im stumped and wondering if it could be the OD switch still bc I am able to turn the OD off and on without it blowing a fuse.
 
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Old 03-29-2011
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Sounds like one of those two wires. Often, the metal conductor isn't broken, just rubbed through the plastic insulation. The O/D Cancel switch works fine and everything is OK until the bare part of the wire is pushed in just the right direction to contact the metal shift tube. Then the fuse blows.
 
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Old 03-30-2011
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I wonder how many days were spent trying to figure that one out rwenzing lol Who would even think to look at that LOL
 
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Old 03-31-2011
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RWENZIG you saved my at least $30 because I found the wire under the shifter was worn bare on the column...excellent advice, works like it should now, thanks very much!
 
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Old 08-23-2012
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blown fuses

Thanks for the tip, I was blowing the catch all 10amp fuse and decided it was in the backup/reverse area. I took your advice and found the bare wire just under the shifter boot on the column. You have to look hard. Been changing fuses for six months!
 
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