I did some light off roading today and after I came out of the woods I noticed then when I was just starting off, or starting up the truck, it would make a sort of rattle sound. It might be a heat shield, but it only started doing it after the trip through the woods. Also I noticed today that I lost my back up lights. I do have a 5-speed so when I start off the engine might lug because of the clutch, and cause the heat shield to rattle. If someone could point me in the right direction that would be great.

 

I pulled the plug under the bumper and tested for power to the reverse lights. The plug had multiple prongs, so I tested around while I had the key on and the truck in reverse. I got power to I think two of the prongs, (It's hard to hold the plug, tester and prongs under the truck.) but both of the prongs had twelve volts. I cleaned the plug and then put some dialectic grease into it and it did not solve the problem.

 

Welcome to the forum

What year Ranger?

Yes, rattle is most likely a heat shield, use a rubber mallet or 2x4 to tap on the heat shields to see if one is rattling

Did you test the same wires when not in reverse, key on, and then key off

Some truck wiring may have key on and/or key off power at the rear for Canopy interior lights, my truck does.

Switch on transmission gets 12volts on one wire with key on, switch is closed when in Reverse so other wire on the switch connects to the two Reverse bulbs

Ford used a Black/pink stripe wire for Reverse lights since at least the 1970's

 

The rattle was a heat shield, I have not had time to look into the wiring, my truck is a 2001 with about 186,000 miles. It's the 4.0 with the 5 - speed.

 

Reverse sensor is on the driver side of the tranny. Towards the top of the side. It's probably going to be a red sensor. It will have a 2 prong oval connector.