I have a 1997 F150 Lariat. The tail lights work for about a second when stepping on the brake petal and then go out. The truck cannot be placed in park when started or you will never get it into gear unless you happen to catch the 1 second window. The only way to start the truck and be able to put it in gear is to start it in neutral. Is this two seperate problems or one problem with many symptoms..Any thoughts?

 

Check for a broken wire on the brake light switch on the brake pedal lever.

 

The shifting is due to one of two possible conditions.

1) Brake switch failure
2) Shift Lock Solenoid failure


The brake switch is much more likely the fault. Also, if you simply turn the key towards the on position, but not quite on (the lights will not be illuminated on the dash) then you can by pass it all and go to N to start it up and shift into R and D with no problem until you get it fixed.

 

Thank you. I will check those out.

 

Indeed, it's the brake on-off switch, or at least that's where I'd put my money.

$10 part, 5 minutes to swap it out.

-Joe

 

It was a broken wire on the brake switch. Thanks to all that posted info.