Supersidecar

Need info please. The column shifter is very troblesome. Symtems as follows:
Column can be pulled from Park into any gear with key "off".
Truck starts fine in "P", but cannot sellect any gear. Column stays in park (with brake peddle depressed of course)
Key @ first detent, ( no power turned on) the column can be moved and any gear selected. ( engine not started)
Can select "N" to start and select any gear.
Cannot return selector to "P" without turning off the engine with key at first detent.
Can insert and remove Key no problem.
The ignition switch moves freely and does not seem to hang up. Just the column.

Any Advice to norrow down the problem very helpful.
Thanks

josephskol

there is a rod that goes from the key down to a switch. that switch was bad on mine it is on top.

Supersidecar

josephskol ,
Thank you for the lead. I will check it out in the morning. Will post after the repair is complete.
Found out The shift lever will work without problems when the battery is disconnected and there is now elecric power available.Reconnect the battery and the problem returns.
Again Thank you for the tip.

Supersidecar

Hi,
And the answer is...? Brake pressure warning Switch. Located on the front of the Master Cylinder. Shorted and Melted. Blowing the fuse thus not allowing power to the Brake solinoid interlock for the shift lever.
$20 +tax at Ford. Auto zone and O'Rielly Don't carry it. Oh and as it turns out it's a '97 ( mfgr 12/96) .

thefonz

Glad ya got it fixed. Thanks for posting the fix, it may help someone in the future.

dewey18

We understand that your problem is:
96 f150 steering column problem. Selector does not line up with correct letter. Have to move the shifter around somewhere in the middle until you find neutral. Truck also starts hard....new battery. When pushed all the way to Park vehicle will still move. Truck shifts fine through all gears. ??????. Could this be the same fix??