Need help figuring out reverse light problem

[Spencer80]

I have a 1980 bronco and the reverse lights won't come on. They don't go through the NSS. It's an automatic transmission and when I put it in gear the needle doesn't move so I don't know if that could be part of the problem. Any ideas will help.

 

[Seabronc]

Here is the circuit diagram to help you troubleshoot the problem.  It could be any where along the circuit, fuse, switch wires, connections.

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[Spencer80]

Thanks Seabronc, that'll help out alot.

 

[miesk5]

Yo Spencer,

Welcome!

Do you need the adjustment info that uses a drill bit?

With the manual linkage properly adjusted, loosen the two switch attaching bolts.

Place the transmission manual lever in neutral. Rotate the switch and insert the gauge pin (No. 43 drill shank end) into the gauge pin holes of the switch. The gauge pin has to be inserted a full 31 ⁄ 64 inch into the 3 holes of the switch.

Tighten the 2 neutral start switch attaching bolts to 55-75 inch lbs. and remove the gauge pin from the switch.

Check the operation of the switch. The engine should only start in Neutral and Park.

http://arrc.ebscohost.com/statics/p5/images/sm/isbn_graphics_complete/8576/chiltonimages/8576/85767045.gif

 

[Seabronc]

I have a 1980 bronco and the reverse lights won't come on. They don't go through the NSS. It's an automatic transmission and when I put it in gear the needle doesn't move so I don't know if that could be part of the problem. Any ideas will help.

In reference to the needle, are you referring to the shift indicator?  If so, that is an additional problem.  The shift indicator is operated by a nylon thread that is in a somewhat fragile tube which comes out of the indicator and is routed along the steering column to a post on the left side of the column.  That thread/tube is sometimes broken when removing the column shroud, care must be taken when removing and installing the shroud to prevent breaking the thread.  I had one broken on my truck and had to find an instrument panel at a junk yard in order to get the replacement part.

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[miesk5]

Yo,

I forgot about the indicator issue, thanks Fred!

Shift Indicator Cable Repair in an 84; "...The plastic tubing that holds the gear indicator cable is broken in several places, starting at the point where it meets the indicator housing, which removes from the rest of the cluster with two screws. I ended up removing the cable entirely (which was broken as well) and replacing it with a thin piece of wire (from a CAT5 cable, actually) that is flexible but rigid enough to not bind. I still need to find a thin enough piece of plastic line to house it before I can reattach it to the shift arm, though..."

Source: by jkorbes

Shift Indicator Cable Removal and Installation

http://api.viglink.com/api/click?format=go&jsonp=vglnk_147069548344420&key=6ed47b392b9edfe394b9e89b72717104&libId=irmly7ls01000bgv000MA1e5ba20wgj8sz&loc=http%3A%2F%2Ffullsizebronco.com%2Fforum%2F21-noobie-bronco-tech-questions-flame-free-zone%2F175558-steering-column-question.html&v=1&out=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.broncocity.com%2Fdiagrams%2FCHILTON%2520MANUAL%2FChapter%25205%2520part%25202.pdf&title=steering%20column%20question%20-%20Ford%20Bronco%20Forum&txt=Chassis%20Electrical%20%3Cb%3EChapter%205%20%20Part%202%20%3C%2Fb%3E

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