How to Wire a Backup Light Switch on a Ford Ranger

The Ford Motor Company began manufacturing the Ranger in 1983. The Ranger was produced as an American retaliation to the influx of Japanese compact pickup trucks into the United States. Ford derived the style of the Ranger from its cousin, the F-Series full-size truck. During the mid-1990s, Mazda, in conjunction with Ford, produced the B-Series compact pickup truck. The only difference in the Mazda B-Series and the Ford Ranger was the head and taillight design. In the United States, most local and state vehicle ordinances require a working backup light assembly for licensed vehicle operation. Wiring the backup light switch on a Ford Ranger is performed with common tools and basic automotive repair knowledge.

Instructions

1

Disconnect the negative battery cable from the vehicle's battery.

2

Locate the backup light switch on the left side of the transmission under the vehicle.

3

Remove the backup light switch from the transmission assembly using an open-end wrench. Turn the backup light switch counterclockwise.

4

Remove the wire connector from the backup light switch using a flat-head screwdriver to pry up the tab on the wire connector. Pull the wire connector off the backup light switch.

5

Remove 1 inch of rubber insulation from the positive wire that runs to the backup light switch using wire strippers.

6

Insert the bare-end of the positive wire into the rear of the backup light switch. Push the wire into the backup light switch until no bare wire is showing.

7

Place the crimping end of the wire strippers over the rear of the backup light switch wire connector. Crimp the wire connector onto the bare wire. Ensure the wire is crimped firmly and will not pull out of the wire connector.

8

Install the back-up light switch into the left side of the transmission using an open-end wrench. Ensure the backup light switch is evenly seated in the transmission.

9

Plug the wire connector into the backup light switch. Ensure the connector "snaps" into place.

10

Connect the negative battery cable to the vehicle's battery.

11

Start the vehicle's engine. Put the vehicle's transmission into reverse. Ask a second person to check the backup lights.