# 2001 Ford Taurus Backup Lights / Neutral Safety Switch **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [July 22, 2023, 9:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-ford-taurus-backup-lights-neutral-safety-switch/191858 "2023-07-22T21:55:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![marktwark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e95f7d/32.png) [@marktwark](https://community.cartalk.com/u/marktwark)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2023, 9:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-ford-taurus-backup-lights-neutral-safety-switch/191858/1 "2023-07-22T21:55:41Z")
I have intermittent backup light failure. I have replaced the neutral safety switch which did not resolve the issue. I am trying to make sense of the connected wires on the switch to see which one sends the signal to the lights. I have attached a picture. Any schematic or information on testing these wires would be appreciated. ![Neutral Safety Switch](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/1/1/1173c30d0a8df6797e3a9a072a64254ec6067ad8.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2023, 10:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-ford-taurus-backup-lights-neutral-safety-switch/191858/2 "2023-07-22T22:10:30Z")
Do you see wires that are black w/yellow stripe or black w/pink stripe? ---
**Author:** ![marktwark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e95f7d/32.png) [@marktwark](https://community.cartalk.com/u/marktwark)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2023, 10:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-ford-taurus-backup-lights-neutral-safety-switch/191858/3 "2023-07-22T22:17:02Z")
Thanks for your quick reply. Yes, that is the third set of wires from the left. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2023, 10:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-ford-taurus-backup-lights-neutral-safety-switch/191858/4 "2023-07-22T22:19:26Z")
Have you ruled out the shift cable being out of adjustment just a little, no play in the shift cable/bushing(s), gear lever bushing if it has one (no I didn’t look)… Did you get a used one with the pigtail or replace it with a new switch??? ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2023, 10:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-ford-taurus-backup-lights-neutral-safety-switch/191858/5 "2023-07-22T22:22:19Z")
From what I can tell the power to the reverse lights starts at fuse 236 (15 A), goes to pin 9 (presumably on that switch) via a black/yellow wire. When trans selector is in R, the switch connects the black/yellow wire with the black/pink wire. Suggest next step is to test that theory using your switch and ohm meter on the lab bench. ---
**Author:** ![marktwark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e95f7d/32.png) [@marktwark](https://community.cartalk.com/u/marktwark)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2023, 10:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-ford-taurus-backup-lights-neutral-safety-switch/191858/6 "2023-07-22T22:23:59Z")
I installed a new switch. I bought the pigtail so I could run tests easier. Just not sure how to corner the problem. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2023, 10:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-ford-taurus-backup-lights-neutral-safety-switch/191858/7 "2023-07-22T22:37:11Z")
Have you moved the shifter a little forward/backward to see if the lights would come on?? You will either need to be backed up close to something with a reflective surface such as a window or glass door or have help… Heck, I have even stolen my wife’s makeup mirror and set it so I could see brake light etc… But I also have a couple of back up alarms that make it audible so I don’t have to be looking… BTW, You did not say you ruled out the out of adjustment shift cable (and stuff) is why I ask… ---
**Author:** ![marktwark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e95f7d/32.png) [@marktwark](https://community.cartalk.com/u/marktwark)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2023, 10:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-ford-taurus-backup-lights-neutral-safety-switch/191858/8 "2023-07-22T22:42:22Z")
Thanks, that is valuable information. I am not strong at testing procedures but when I just plugged the pigtail into the installed switch, put the car in reverse, there was no continuity at those wires. Hope that was a valid test… ---
**Author:** ![marktwark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e95f7d/32.png) [@marktwark](https://community.cartalk.com/u/marktwark)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2023, 10:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-ford-taurus-backup-lights-neutral-safety-switch/191858/9 "2023-07-22T22:44:11Z")
Yes, I have wiggled it all around and they either work, or not - - usually not. ---
**Author:** ![marktwark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e95f7d/32.png) [@marktwark](https://community.cartalk.com/u/marktwark)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2023, 10:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-ford-taurus-backup-lights-neutral-safety-switch/191858/10 "2023-07-22T22:56:08Z")
I didn’t mention that there is an after-market reverse video camera tapped into the reverse light wire in the rear. I am not sure if that could factor in. ---
**Author:** ![Renegade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Renegade](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Renegade)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2023, 11:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-ford-taurus-backup-lights-neutral-safety-switch/191858/11 "2023-07-22T23:26:09Z")
> [@marktwark](#): > > after-market reverse video camera tapped into the reverse light wire in the rear. I am not sure if that could factor in. That is a very good posbility.