Nuetral safety/backup lamp switch problems

[CA180]

Hey guys, i'm having a couple of issues with the nuetral safety/backup lamp switch...

I dont have any reverse lights at all... And sometimes you have to jiggle the shifter to get the truck to start.

I checked and dont have any power at the sockets for the reverse bulbs. I used the wiring diagram provided on the home page and checked the black wire with the red tracer at the switch, 12 volts going in and none coming out. Now obviously the switch must be bad.

I guess to get to the point, where can i find a switch for it at a decent price? Autozone wants 50 bucks! Ouch!

Has anyone ever tried repairing these?

Oh, also... Why does the shift select arrow never really point towards the right gear? Since i've driven it, i've put it in the wrong gear a time or two and not realised it until it wouldnt shift into the last gear. LOL

Anyhow, if anyone has any help or advice, it would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

[fordman]

you are talking about the switch under the dash on the column. the shifter is an adjustment that can be made. thast may be your only problem with it. i think you can loosen that switch and move it a littler to get the shifter to look and work right. unless you have a worn bushing in the linkage system some place. used switches can be had. i think flyboy has a good one.

[QC]

I think they put the ignition switch on the left side so your right hand is free to wiggle the shift lever. That was kind of common on these trucks even when they were newer.

[Brett6269]

My 64 galaxie had the same problem, i simply adjusted the switch, the spring was a little worn..

[CA180]

Well, its not really an issue of having to jiggle the shifter.. That come with owning a ford... LOL

I dont have any reverse lights, and i was wondering iy anyone hade any advice on repairing the switch. I dont want to spend fifty bucks for that little switch!

[fordman]

that switch in my opinoin is possibly unrepairable. it has two copper contacts inside of it with a third contact on the slidng switch part. this was all i could see. i don't think you could take it apart and do any thing to it. you might be able to rub a small piece of sand paper inside of it to make the contacts cleaner but i think thats as far as you could get.

i'm not sure your light problem is in the switch though. check the bulbs and socket first then check the ground wire to the bed take it off and clean the rust of of the bed and the wire terminal also clean the screw and washer or use a new one.

Have you had someone on the inside of the truck wiggle the shifter in revese. to make sure the switch is in correct adjustment? can you make the lights come on when the shifter is wiggled?