'97 f-150 4.6

I am having trouble shifting out of park. From everything I see on here it is probably the brake switch. I have two questions?

Is there another name for this part?

Autozone tried telling me it was not the brake switch, but the nuetral safety switch that is located in the column? I have not seen anything on this, could this be true?

 

The brake light switch is located on the support for the pedal. The neutral safety switch is locatde on the top of the base of the steering column. It is adjustable. It is held in place by two screws. I dont think that cwould be the cause of not being able to get in and out of park. To test the switch, be in a wide open area,turn the key on but do not, start put the vehicle in any forward gear(not neutral or reverse) and see in the engine will start.If the vehicle starts, them the switch needs adjustment and or replacing. On a manual transmission the switch is on the transmission.

 

Have you had the cruise control recall done on this vehicle?

If not do so now.

I bet the fuse blew for the brake lights because of a short in the cruise control switch on the brake master cylinder. It's function is to dis engage the cruise when you step on the brake. It shorts when brake fluid enter the wire connection and has been known to start major fires, even when the engine is off, as the wire are hot all the time.

You need to disconnect the wires to the master cylinder switch and see if fluid is in the connection. If there is, do not reconnect until the recall is done. (you should get the recall done reguardless of the condition of the switch) . Then check the fuses in the cab and replace the blown one and you will once again be able to shift out of park.

 

I have had the recall on the cruise done a while back.

I can get the truck out park but is is kind of difficult. I jiggle it and repump the brake and it'll come out. I would think if it was a fuse it would not work at all, correct?

I checked the brake lights last night and there appeared to be some delay in them coming on after I hit the pedal.

 

jump the switch at the connector for the brake lights. It activates on the brake peddle arm.

See if the brake lights come on fast when you jump it. If it does, then you switch is gone. They are not expensive and may be worth while to change anyway.

 

Is this a part that needs to be a mototcraft part or one I can get from any parts store. In my experience over the last 13 years, some parts need to be motorcraft.

 

You can get it at any parts house, the aftermarkets are just as good as the original for this part

 

thanks

 

Got the switch from autozone for $7 took about 5 minutes to install. Seems to be working fine now. I couldn't believe how easy it was.

Thanks

 

I have been having a ton trouble with the switch myself. Seems as though the wires were ripped out from here ever they went to in the cluster of wires. My question is are there tips on the end of the green/red wire that fit into something or are they hard wired into the cluster. Can't seem to find where they belong . Want to see if I hook them back up if the light come back on and it shift properly. Tired of putting it in neutral before starting. .... I chose to buy the truck regardless of what I was told. I need to prove to them I can do this. Never said I couldn't ask for outside help.