I have a 2000 f150 4.2l 4x4 that has a gear shift stalk that has a defective overdrive switch that is shorted. My question is....If the fuse is blown, will the O/d continue to work? I know with one push, the o/d can be eliminated for towing.....a light used to come on.....but, does it still continue to be in o/d mode with the fuse blown. It just seems to me that I don't hear it shift into or out of o/d.....maybe I just don't hear or feel it? I can't find and answer in the manual....I do little towing so I never used the o/d lockout that much...but as I said it seems only to be using 3 speeds......I am getting 12-13 mpg..which seems lower to me than I used to get...but my son has been driving it more than I. The vehicle is at 145k and pretty much runs flawless....a new stalk can be purchased for about 55 dollars on ebay....Does anyone know how this system works? Without the fuse it seems to be a 3spd auto.......instead of a 3spd with o/d...is this how it works or can is it shifting into o/d with barely a whisper? Is it worth 55 bucks and hour or 2 of work to replace the stalk and eliminate the short even though I hardly ever carry large weight?
Thanks
Chris

 

Just open up the column covers and repair the harness (solder and tape as needed), then replace fuse F29.

The button on the end of the shift lever is called the "O/D Cancel" switch for a reason.

 

I thank you for your reply.....I am curious to what I may find. I am guessing by your statement that 0/d woks all the time without the cancel switch. Just making sure there are not 2 separate circuits running off of the same fuse.

 

Fuse 29 also controls Autolamps. But as he said, remove the steering column cover and fine the chaffed wire. Seems to be an occasional issue with these trucks.

 

Just curious.....but at what put do you need to cancel o/d? Right now I sometimes tow a boat of approximately 1000lbs.....usually only 20 miles or so through somewhat hilly terrain. I have towed in excess of 2000lbs for several hours though....once in a blue moon......doesnt' seem to effect the truck in anyway.....hope I am right!
chris

 

More or less pulling a large weight. OD is more of a cruise gear then anything. Also could be used in slow and congested traffic. It pulls less wear on it so you're not constantly shifting into overdrive and shifting right back out of it. I wouldn't be terrible concerned with that much weight.

 

So in the end....is it worth the expense and effort to replace or repair the stalk? I have found as the cars and trucks I work on get newer.....the repair work is usually more tedious and never easy! It was a lot easier in the old days when you didn't need computers to set your timing and adjust your fuel flow......I know nowadays the norm for a car is 200+K miles instead of 100k miles...still I don't know how people who don't work on their own cars and take it to dealers can afford the high-priced repairs!

Thanks Again,
Chris

 

Can you solder a few wires and tape them up? That's all it usually takes.

 

I was a maintainence technician for 30 years...Electrical/Electronics/Hydraulics/Mechanical....still an in my opinion this is just not a problem worth tearing into...It in no way effects the way the truck runs and I doubt as much as I tow or haul firewood that the transmission could be damaged. This truck gets about 12-14mpg whether towing, cruising 85 on the interstates or cities...empty or full load.

 

In the event the switched "hot" wire shorts to ground, it will take out the fuse that also runs the instrument cluster.

You might want to re-evaluate the deferral of the needed repair.