I have a 2000 F150 4x4 with a 5.4L Triton V-8. I also have an automatic transmission (U-code 4R70W) w/overdrive. I've recently noticed that my reverse lights were not illuminating when I put my truck in reverse. I've checked the fuse(#5 in the passenger compartment fuse panel) as well as all the other fuses in that panel, and they all show 12v across both fuse terminals. I also checked all the fuses in the power distribution bock and all checked out ok as well. I pulled the rear tail light assembly and both bulbs are in working order. When placing the the ignition in the run position and the vehicle in reverse, I tested the voltage at the reverse light socket (BK-PK wire) with a multimeter and it wasn't reading any voltage. The socket also had a good ground connection (continuity with chassis) . So i ruled out a loose ground wire as the culprit. After this I tested the output from the DTR sensor on the passenger side of the transmission (DG-YE output wire) and the wire wasn't reading any voltage. This wire is instead going to ground when the shifter is placed in reverse. It's my understanding that this wire should be sending 12v to the the BK-PK wire that actives the reverse lights. Could this be a faulty DTR sensor or am I overlooking some other cause? The vehicle will only start when the shifter is in "P", so it seems that the DTR is working properly, but could the sensor still cause the reverse lights not to work? Any help with this will be greatly appreciated!

 

The wires at the DTR for reverse lamp operation are :

Cab Fuse panel Fuse #5- 15A -> Light Blue w/ Pink Stripe -> DTR pin #9 -> DTR pin #11 -> Black w/ Pink stripe wire -> reverse lamps.

Not showing a Dark Green w/ Yellow stripe wire in the DTR connector ( C182 ).

Only circuits with either similar colors :
Green w/ Red - pin #2 signals return
Light Blue w/ Yellow - TR3A
Yellow w/ Black - TR1

You did check fuse #5 when the key was in the run position, correct ?

Put the truck in run ( do not start ) and take safety precautions ( parking brake, wheel chocks, etc ) and check that you have power on the Light Blue w/ Pink Stripe wire. If you have power here, then put the truck in reverse ( this is where safety precautions are important ) and check the Black w/ Pink stripe wire for power.

 

Thanks SSCULLY for your response. The wiring diagram that I was using was for F150s (2004-2008). So I really appreciate you helping me out with the correct wire colors for my model year. I rechecked fuse #5 with the ignition in the run position, and again the fuse read 12v across both fuse terminals. Checked voltage at both Light Blue/Pink and Black/Pink wires at DTR and both read 12v as well. Pulled tail lights again and rechecked voltage at reverse light socket and NO voltage was detected. I'm staring to think that the Black/Pink wire is grounding-out or cut somewhere. But wouldn't the fuse be popping if it was grounding-out? Is there anything else in the circuitry between the Black/Pink wire at the DTR and the reverse light socket? Maybe a possible relay? Also, if anyone has the reverse light wiring diagram for 2000, please post.

 

No relay ( I can never figure out why this seems to a common blame for electrical issues, there are not enough relays in the fuse panels for all the blame ).

The next place to check is in the driver's side kick panel, and then the connector at the rear of the truck.



Here is a picture of where the connector to check is at


Need to lower the spare to see it properly.