I want to preface this by saying my truck has tinted tail lights and tinted front windows...therefore I have never been able to see backing up and do not know when the problem started.

Truck in question:
Attachment 570609

Installed led reverse lights last week. Got around to wiring them up yesterday. Ground each one to the bumper bolt, and ran to the reverse light in the tails for power.

The first time the truck is put into reverse after starting the reverse lights go on (both the led and the tails),even when just cycled through to get to D. Then the second time it is put in reverse they flick on for a second and then shut off (both sets). If I shut the truck off and turn it back on, the lights will work again (both sets), but will again shut off after going into R the second time.

Here is what is odd. If I have the truck in R, and turn the truck off while leaving it in R the lights will be on. I can then cycle from R to P to R to P to R to P as many times as I want and the reverse lights will always come on. So, they will only shut off when the truck is running, but not when the key is on accessory.

As stated, not sure when this problem started; it could have been happening the whole time I have had the truck...I doubt it is a result of the led install. The tails are led recons if that makes a difference, which it shouldn't since the reverse light in the taillights are the same as stock.

Side note my back up sensors have been acting a bit wonky lately (even before the led install). They will go off when there is nothing in range every so often, not sure if that has anything to do with it.

Thanks for the help.

 

update to this, after some testing:

This only occurs when the headlights are on. If the headlights are not on the reverse lights function properly, but as soon as the headlights are turned on the problem occurs.

 

Found this

Recall ID # 90589 - EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS Plus
Recall Date:
MAY 03, 2012
Model Affected:
2011 Ford F-150
Summary:
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 FORD F-150, 2012 EXPEDITION AND LINCOLN NAVIGATOR, AND 2012-2013 MUSTANG VEHICLES, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NOS. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT" AND 108 ¿LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.¿ THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR (TRS) THAT WAS CALIBRATED OUT OF SPECIFICATION FOR REVERSE GEAR.
Consequences:
IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION MAY NOT GO INTO REVERSE OR WHEN THE DRIVER PUSHES THE SHIFT LEVER IN THE REVERSE ¿R¿ POSITION AND THE VEHICLE¿S TRANSMISSION DOES GO IN REVERSE, THE ¿R¿ MAY NOT ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD OF THE F-150, EXPEDITION, OR NAVIGATOR MODELS AND/OR THE BACKUP LAMP ON THE REAR OF THE F-150, EXPEDITION, NAVIGATOR, OR MUSTANG VEHICLES MAY NOT ILLUMINATE. THESE CONDITIONS INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH OR A PEDESTRIAN BEING STRUCK DUE TO THE VEHICLE¿S NOT SIGNALING IT IS IN REVERSE.
Remedy:
FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE TRS AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 11, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
Potential Units Affected:
10500
Notes:
FORD MOTOR COMPANY


Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/cars/2011/...#ixzz3MB76F9aG

Called them, and of course my truck isn't part of the recall.

 

Ok, now they just kind of work whenever they feel like it. Doesnt matter...lights on, lights off. Some times they will flick off the first time I go into reverse, other times I can go back and forth multiple times and they stay on before flicking off.

edit: decided to try something. Pulled the reverse bulbs out of the socket in the tails. LEDs work as they should now...hopefully that fixed it, although I am not sure why it fixed it.