Back up lights on 56 Crown Vic

[fordrodsteven]

There doesn't seem to be any power going in or out of the Neutral Safety sw so going to get a new one +new wires and hope that works.
Thanks again
Colin

If there is no power coming out but there is power going in then I would change the switch.
If there is no power, as you say, "in or out" I would look for a problem from the source of power to the switch. You can also do a quick check to see if the wiring from the switch to the lights is functional by jumping power directly to the wire at the switch. Disconnect the wire that goes to the lights and jump to that. I would make a jumper that utilizes an in-line fuse for the test. You could also use that jumper to connect to the power in side of the switch to verify if the switch works and to check the nadjustment of the switch.

 

[dmsfrr]

...There doesn't seem to be any power going in or out of the Neutral Safety sw ...

... If there is no power, as you say, "in or out" I would look for a problem from the source of power to the switch....

The red/blue wire from the "S" terminal of the Ign key switch should provide power to the neutral safety switch, but only when the ignition switch is held in the Start position.

If the NSS really isn't getting any power the starter solenoid and starter shouldn't function either.

Because the car starts you'd think that's all working fine, except...
if the car can start in gear the NSS is bad, out of adjustment or a previous owner bypassed it with a connection directly from the Ign switch to the starter solenoid. (like a certain red car in my garage)
.

 

[junkyardjeff]

Back up lights were optional.my 55 never came with with them from the factory and are wired to the light switch and only come on when the lights are on. I am thinking about hooking them up to the accessory side of the ignition switch.

 

[rotorwrench]

Most vehicles have the reverse lights wired for operation without the light switch involvement. If you think about it, it makes perfect sense. This is how you can tell someone is going to reverse the car if you are approaching it from the rear. Even during the day, this is an important caution for other drivers to note in case the reversing car can not see the other cars approaching it.


Wiring to a load side of a buss circuit breaker will protect the circuit wiring on an automatic transmission application since the car is generally always left in park. Manual transmission cars with overdrive are a different matter though since they should be shifted into reverse when parked on a hill due to the overrunning clutch. In this case, they should be wired to the ignition switch "on" circuit with an in line fuse. Some of the old ignition switches are kind of limited on how many wires can be installed on the accessory terminal but it can generally be made to work.

 

[KULTULZ]

As I understand all of this...

The 56 FORD BU Lamp was an option (BIRD $8.50). I a$$-u-me it was factory assembly if a customer new car order or the dealer specified them on a stock order.

Back-Up Lights ($8.50)

http://automotivemileposts.com/tbird/tbird1956optionalequipment.html

There were also kits made available for dealer and/or customer install.

The kits can still be found on EvilBay and this would include everything to upgrade the car to factory assembly.

I have also noticed harnesses and other service parts on the Usual Suspect Online stores.

The 1956 FORD ELECTRICAL MANUAL (available reprint) would give all the details.

 

[dmsfrr]

.....
The 1956 FORD ELECTRICAL MANUAL (available reprint) would give all the details.

I have these two books (below) and the general backup wiring layout is shown but the dashboard wiring connection details aren't part of the diagrams, if that's a concern.
I also have a '55 Car (and Thunderbird) Shop Manual and backup lights aren't mentioned in it at all.

 

[rotorwrench]

It still kills me off how they show a very good illustration of the layout for installation but they don't have a simple wiring diagram. It's pretty much how Ford did things in the early years though.

 

[KULTULZ]

I was thinking about the electrical assembly manual that was released for 1956.

I have these two books (below) and the general backup wiring layout is shown but the dashboard wiring connection details aren't part of the diagrams, if that's a concern.

I also have a '55 Car (and Thunderbird) Shop Manual and backup lights aren't mentioned in it at all.

The needed wiring diagram will be found in the correct year ELECTRICAL MANUAL as shown in the first quote.

The ELECTRICAL MANUAL you have dmsfrr...

Is it FORD and BIRD or just BIRD? Is it Genuine FORD or a copy/reprint?

That CHASSIS PARTS MANUAL is invaluable as it will have all the parts info for the years listed as opposed to the MPC which was edited as PN's were deleted from the system. There should also be available a BODY CATALOG to go along with it.

You show the ILL for the rear harness. Under Basic No. 14405 TEXT it shows the harness containing the BU lamp wires (and turn signal wires) as included in that harness, if factory equipped or not. In that instance, installing the kit should be fairly easy.

Now here is another quandary. One post shows the neutral safety switch (FM) as being replaced by a 57 PN (B7AZ 7A247-A). This switch should allow START in PARK and automatic illumination of the backup lamps.

 

[KULTULZ]

It still kills me off how they show a very good illustration of the layout for installation but they don't have a simple wiring diagram. It's pretty much how Ford did things in the early years though.

The parts books use ENGINEERING DRAWINGS as does the SHOP MANUAL.

Actual wiring diagrams come in the ELECTRICAL MANUAL.

As it became more complicated, VACUUM and EMISSION MANUALS were released.

 

[paul2748]

My understanding is that the start in Park came with the 58 model year. TBirds I know did not have the start in Park in 1957.

 

[KULTULZ]

My understanding is that the start in Park came with the 58 model year. TBirds I know did not have the start in Park in 1957.

THANX for catching this...

There was a thread that showed vendors were selling the 57 FORD switch as a replacement for the BIRD. That can't be as the FORD did not have an AUTO floor shift.

Either I need to find that thread or oldmics is going to pull my coat buttons off and break my sword...

 

[KULTULZ]

Here is what tripped me up. The thread is discussing FORD, not BIRD.

One of the maladies of getting old is diminished reading comprehension...

Just noticed the back up lights on my 56 Crown Vic are not working...they may not been working when I first bought the car 12 months ago..never looked until now, Doh!

There doesn't seem to be any power at the switch and I can't find any wiring diagram in the handbook or shop manual. Has anybody ever located an appropriate wiring diagram? Can't find any trace of any fuses!!!

Also, I can't find a replacement sw (in case I need on) listed in any of the normal suppliers catalogs. Anybody got any ideas?

Colin

The neutral safety switch, b7az-7a247-a, that is for 55-57 cars is also listed as a backup light switch.

Again, thank you for catching this. I just hope it was caught before it caused someone to buy something that won't work...

 

[Kahuna]

There is a NSS that was used on Ford pickups that allows starting in Neutral & Park.
I have one & if I can find the number I will post it.

Here it is: 1960-1966 Ford Truck
This is a Ford number: C1TF-7A247-A
I think I paid $35.00 for it
Looks exactly like the original.

Jim

 

[Courier]

I traced all the wires in and out of my neutral safety switch on my 56 Courier. I can’t say its how everyone’s will be wired but its definitely how mine was. My car is a Y block/ fordomatic and has reverse lights.

Look at the neutral safety switch installed in the car in the engine compartment near the steering shaft. There is a bullet connector at the top and a bullet connector at the bottom. The bottom bullet connector is the power feed to the reverse switch circuit. This terminal will be hot when the headlights or parking lights are on. The wire from this terminal leads to about the center under the dash and is connected to a three way bullet connector. The second wire on this connector leads to the “R” terminal on the headlight switch and has power when the park lights or headlights are on. The third wire on this connector leads to both tail lights. The tail light wire (black) heads to the back of the car bundled independently with the reverse lights (black), passenger stop light (orange/blue ), driver stop light (green/yellow ) , and gas tank sender (yellow) wires.

Again, if you are looking at the installed neutral safety switch there is a bullet connector at the top. This leads to about the same place under the center of the dash and connects to the black reverse light wire. This terminal will be hot when the headlights or parking lights are on and the gear selector is in reverse.

Again if you are looking at the installed neutral safety switch there is a blade connector on the driver’s side. This connects to the “S” terminal on the ignition switch and provides ground.

Finally, if you are looking at the installed neutral safety switch there is a blade connector on the passenger’s side. This is connected to the small terminal closer to the front of the car on the starter solenoid. The terminal will have ground when the gear selector is in neutral.

To get the reverse lights to come on without the headlights being illuminated I traced the wire from the bottom bullet connector on the neutral safety switch to the three way connector under the dash. I unplugged it from the connector and connected it to “ignition on” power. This will not disturb your taillights.

I hope this helps someone!

 

[paul2748]

Did anyone realize that this post is from 8 years ago ????

 

[RKS.PA]

Yes, Paul, I did. But because I didn't own my '56 back then and did replace my NSS because the original one failed and I now start in park, it was very helpful and I kept reading until your post yesterday.

Regards,

Dick.

 

[KULTULZ]

Yes, Paul, I did. But because I didn't own my '56 back then and did replace my NSS because the original one failed and I now start in park, it was very helpful and I kept reading until your post yesterday.

Regards,

Dick.

You have to make allowances ...

I, for one, appreciate any updates to a post, no matter how old it is as more than likely the OP was searching (GIGGLING) information for his car and came across this thread. He was then able to correct and was kind enough to share his experience/knowledge with the rest of us.

I have GIGGLED many times and came across an older post of mine and if what I posted was incorrect, have EDITED it.

THANX! to the OP and your contribution ...

 

[Old Redneck]

On my 56 T Bird the headlights half to be on for the back up lights to be on. Also in reverse.

 

[mercman from oz]

Optional Accessory Reversing Lights - 1956 Ford Customline

 

[1942deluxe]

On my 56 T Bird the headlights half to be on for the back up lights to be on. Also in reverse.

Ken,
On our 55 Fairlane it works the same way. When we first got the car, I didn't know that and thought they weren't working.