Posted By: Anonymous
Backup lights don't work in '72 Road Runner - 01/25/06 06:15 AM
What can go wrong with backup lights? Mine stopped working last year and I can't seem to figure out what's wrong with them. I replaced the neutral safety switch and both bulbs, but that didn't do anything. One of the sockets was a little corroded, but I cleaned it up and they still don't work. Can anyone explain how they get their power? How do you test them if they only work with the car running and in reverse? Any ideas would be appreciated.
Maybe there's a reason some guys don't like electrical problems... 
.And the center reverse light pin works separately from the plastic neutral saftey switch... The reverse recess is small enough to let the center pin drop down and bottom in the plastic housing which is already riding on the selector{ in fact the reverse lights will activate if the center pin can bottom out no matter what the height of the plastic neutral safty plunger}..I've installed 3 aftermarket switches in different cars in the last year..And all needed the pin filed a small amount to make the lights work in reverse...A comparison to the factory unit has shown the pin was in fact too long... 
... The neutral safty is operated by the big plastic plunger on the switch.. 
. Now,assuming you have reverse lights... If you push the center pin in by itself the reverse lights will go off....It does'nt matter where in its travel the plastic neutral safty plunger is...All the way in or out or anywhere in the middle, if the pin is extended, the lights are on because ...the pin only has the opportunity to extend{by itself} out of the plastic plunger in the reverse recess on the rooster comb... 