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Thread: Tremec TKO reverse switch

  1. #1
    Senior Member Fixit's Avatar
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    Tremec TKO reverse switch

    Seems that I've been bit by the "assume" mantra again... Don't assume, 'cause it'll make an *** out of U and ME.

    When I was doing the rear wiring on #9365, I prepped for reverse/backup lights. I assumed the switch on the Tremec was an N.O. (normally open) switch, that closed when the gearbox went into reverse. It appears that this is not the case. It goes "open" on shifting to reverse.

    Question is:
    Does Tremec offer a N.O. reverse switch?
    John D. - Minneapolis 'Burbs

    1965 El Camino - LT-1, 4L60e, 4wh discs, SC&C susp.
    2013 F-150 Platinum - Twin Turbo 3.5
    2018 Mk4 Roadster w/ Coyote - #9365 - Build Thread Delivery 7/3/18, 1st Start 1/4/19, 1st Road Mile 5/5/19, Legal 6/18/19, In Paint 2/25/21, Done (?) 4/2021

  2. #2
    2bking's Avatar
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    Are you sure your on the right switch and not the neutral safety switch. The reverse switch is on the tail shaft and should be a N.O. The neutral safety switch is closed in neutral and open in all gears.
    King
    Roadster #8127, ordered 7/12/13, received 9/11/13
    http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showt...4-Coyote-Build

  3. #3
    Senior Member Fixit's Avatar
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    The switch I'm tapped into is on the extreme end of the tailcone, driver's side, just forward of the output shaft seal...
    John D. - Minneapolis 'Burbs

    1965 El Camino - LT-1, 4L60e, 4wh discs, SC&C susp.
    2013 F-150 Platinum - Twin Turbo 3.5
    2018 Mk4 Roadster w/ Coyote - #9365 - Build Thread Delivery 7/3/18, 1st Start 1/4/19, 1st Road Mile 5/5/19, Legal 6/18/19, In Paint 2/25/21, Done (?) 4/2021

  4. #4
    Well Used Member boat737's Avatar
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    The reverse switch looks to be on the DS mid section. The neutral safety switch is on the tail section. The manual shows F7 as the reverse switch, and F18 as the neutral safety switch.
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    Young & Dumb Stuff: 427w Dart, TKO600, 3 link Moser M9/Ford 9", 3.5:1, Eaton TruTrac Posi. Graduation Thread

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  6. #5
    Senior Member Fixit's Avatar
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    It would certainly help if I connected to the correct switch now, wouldn't it! clonk.gif
    John D. - Minneapolis 'Burbs

    1965 El Camino - LT-1, 4L60e, 4wh discs, SC&C susp.
    2013 F-150 Platinum - Twin Turbo 3.5
    2018 Mk4 Roadster w/ Coyote - #9365 - Build Thread Delivery 7/3/18, 1st Start 1/4/19, 1st Road Mile 5/5/19, Legal 6/18/19, In Paint 2/25/21, Done (?) 4/2021

  7. #6
    BadAsp427's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Fixit View Post
    It would certainly help if I connected to the correct switch now, wouldn't it! clonk.gif
    Or you could just add a toggle switch to the dash board for the reverse lights..... Naw, Just connect to the right one.

    Mk4 20th Anniversary #8690 (#8 of 20) Purchased 8/18/18----Build Started 8/19/18
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    Now I will have to go check and see which switch I wired into. Better now than later, thanks.
    20th Anniversary Mk IV, A50XS Coyote, TKO 600, Trunk Drop Box, Trunk Battery Box, Cubby Hole, Seat Heaters, Radiator hanger and shroud.

  9. #8
    2bking's Avatar
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    Yep, I got them backwards, The backup is forward and neutral on the tail shaft. But connecting to the correct switch should make the reverse lights work.
    King
    Roadster #8127, ordered 7/12/13, received 9/11/13
    http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showt...4-Coyote-Build

  10. #9
    Mark Eaton's Avatar
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    Ok, just to be clear do I have this correct? This is my TKO 600

    MK4 #9130 , complete kit, arrived 8/10/2017, Street Legal 2/14/2020.
    DART SHP 347, EFI, TKO600, IRS
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  11. #10
    Senior Member Fixit's Avatar
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    Reverse Switch Questions & Answers

    Mark... your pic/diagram is correct. The reverse light switch is about centered in the driver's side of the main case.

    (Like a knucklehead clonk.gif, I left all my tools on the cart at the jobsite, knowing that my "home" meter is a K.I.A. - coulda saved myself a bit of work & embarrassment with a simple check with a meter!)

    When I ordered my trans from Forte's, I also ordered a reverse backup switch (not knowing one was supplied/installed with the gearbox). The "replacement" switch has a Weatherpak connector molded in, unlike the raw studs from the factory. I chose to swap them for the better connection/waterproofness/etc.

    If you're going to swap to the different switch, the good news is the switch is "dry" - It's above the level of fluid in the case - no cherry-juice bath. **However there is a very thin nylon sealing washer under the head of the switch**. Look out for this as it can get stuck to the case or the switch, be sure to transfer it.
    John D. - Minneapolis 'Burbs

    1965 El Camino - LT-1, 4L60e, 4wh discs, SC&C susp.
    2013 F-150 Platinum - Twin Turbo 3.5
    2018 Mk4 Roadster w/ Coyote - #9365 - Build Thread Delivery 7/3/18, 1st Start 1/4/19, 1st Road Mile 5/5/19, Legal 6/18/19, In Paint 2/25/21, Done (?) 4/2021

  12. #11
    Senior Member mlewis's Avatar
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    Glad I tripped over this thread. On the right track (now).

    Question - If not using the neutral safety switch (don't think I need to ?), what should I do with the pigtail ?
    Mk4 #9165, Base Kit with lots of options, Delivery on 08/17/2017, Coyote, TKO600, 2015 IRS, 18" Halibrands, 12.99" Wilwoods

  13. #12
    Senior Member cnutting's Avatar
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    I just zip tied the pigtail up and out of the way in case someone in the future wants to connect it.
    FFR #8833 289 FIA 3-link
    1965 289, TKO600 from Forte's Parts Connection
    Body and Paint by Mike's Auto Restoration
    Picked up 3/5/2016, First start 4/22/2017, MA legal 7/11/2018
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  14. #13
    Senior Member Fixit's Avatar
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    I just zip tied the pigtail up and out of the way in case someone in the future wants to connect it.
    I did one additional thing - I plugged a mating 1/2 of the connector in the other side, and sealed the wire holes with a dab of silicone.
    John D. - Minneapolis 'Burbs

    1965 El Camino - LT-1, 4L60e, 4wh discs, SC&C susp.
    2013 F-150 Platinum - Twin Turbo 3.5
    2018 Mk4 Roadster w/ Coyote - #9365 - Build Thread Delivery 7/3/18, 1st Start 1/4/19, 1st Road Mile 5/5/19, Legal 6/18/19, In Paint 2/25/21, Done (?) 4/2021

  15. #14
    Senior Member cnutting's Avatar
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    Good idea, keep the road junk out
    FFR #8833 289 FIA 3-link
    1965 289, TKO600 from Forte's Parts Connection
    Body and Paint by Mike's Auto Restoration
    Picked up 3/5/2016, First start 4/22/2017, MA legal 7/11/2018
    Build Thread http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showt...FIA-build-8833
    "Insanity is contagious" - Joseph Heller

  16. #15
    Senior Member Avalanche325's Avatar
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    I remember having trouble finding the right pigtail for the backup sensor. Modern Driveline has them.

  17. #16
    25th Anniversary #9772 toadster's Avatar
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    where did you pull power for the reverse switch? I have a TKX and implementing a backup light as well

    assume you just ground one side of the switch into the frame?
    Todd
    25th Anniversary MkIV | #20 of 25 | Build #9772
    https://cobradreams.com/ <- my build!

  18. #17
    Senior Member Nigel Allen's Avatar
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    one side of the reverse switch to ground will work. Just make sure you use an ignition switched positive for the feed to the reverse lamp, otherwise if you park the car with transmission in reverse you will end up with the lamp on all the time.

    Cheers,
    Nige
    Last edited by Nigel Allen; 02-21-2023 at 03:36 PM.
    Mk.4 FFR supplied Right hand drive
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  19. #18
    Senior Member Blitzboy54's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by toadster View Post
    where did you pull power for the reverse switch? I have a TKX and implementing a backup light as well

    assume you just ground one side of the switch into the frame?
    What Nigel said. I used the keyed accessory power. This runs my backup light as well as my charging port.
    MK4 #10008 - Ordered 10/06/20, Delivered 03/03/21, First Start 7/22/21, First Go Kart 7/24/21
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