Classic/Antique Car Repair: 67 Mustang reverse lights not working, mustang coupe, orange stripe

Question
Hello.  I have a 1967 Mustang coupe, 289 automatic. The reverse lights stopped working. If I power them from a battery hooked to the terminals in the trunk they come on. I traced the wire (black w/orange stripe) from trunk to dash - I think it's the power supply. I found it unhooked under the dash near the headlight switch block. I can't see what it was ever attached to. Do you think I have the correct wire? If so what does it connect to, I'm certain they were working last summer for inspection.  Thank you

Answer
The reverse lights are operated by a switch that is actuated by the shift mechanism, either on the steering column, on the console shifter if that is what your car has, or on the transmission itself.

I can't verify the color of the wire at the switch end for you, as I do not have a wiring diagram for that car, but it would be the same color as the wire that feeds the reverse lights at the back of the car.  

To verify that you have found the right wire under the dash, temporarily put 12 volts on it while someone watches the reverse lights to see if they light - if so, you know you have the right wire, just find a place to plug it in!

Look for a disconnected terminal on the steering column (if you have column shift)under the dash to see if the loose wire has fallen off of it there.  

You may have to get a factory service manual to sort this out - they are extremely useful for maintaining the car, and I urge you to get one, either on eBay or from one of the automotive literature dealers - it will pay for itself many times over if you are going to keep this car!

I'm sorry not to be able to lead you right to the problem, but this should help to narrow down the areas to look.  
Dick