I recently purchased my 1997, F150. Had no problem for about a week then the overdrive off decided to engage by itself. It happen a few times then the switch started to smoke so I changed out the switch thinking it was a switch problem. Now after a few weeks the light comes on if I have it in reverse of park or whatever. It also still shifts down out of overdrive, it is not blinking any steady codes. I also put it on a reader but got no codes what so ever.
I thought it might be a wiring problem in the shifting lever. any Ideas???

 

Yeah, that's probably what it is. Inspect the wires as they exit the lever. They tend to chafe and short out to the steering column.

Actual symptoms will vary depending on which of the wires (there are several) happens to make its short circuit first, but your's is one of the common symptoms.

steve

 

Is this a "tear your entire steering column apart" job or something a little more simple. Silly me, for even thing that. By the way thanks for your reply I was happy to hear that I wasn't the only one thinking it wasn't in the tranny.

Dave

 

Just remove the shrouds on the column. You should be able to see the fault then.

Steve

 

Thanks I'll try that this weekend and let you know what I find.


Dave

 

Thanks a million (or couple hundred at least). Steve, you were exactly right, the wire was worn just before it went into the shifting lever. I could have just taped it, but decided to splurge and spend the $50 and get the new wire and shifting lever. I figure if I had taken that in it would have cost at least 2 to 3 hundred dollars. Thanks again!!!! Great Job Steve!

Live long and Prosper,
Dave