Glad it's fixed.

You said you found the exact cause and fixed it, but we'd like to know what that original fault actually was....

I guess I should have mentioned that drawback in using those fuse taps....

Steve

 

If I had just followed up on HomerWinzlow's suggestion in post 10...I would have been better off (hindsight IS 20/20). The problem was right in the harness at the brake switch. the wire had broken right where the insulation was stripped. I had never taken the actual harness apart. I was thinking that is I probed the contact inside that I was doing sufficient. It also didn't hep that I was using the meter improperly. That caused this to drag on for a while. But thanks all for bearing with me.

Problem:broken wire in harness.
Time to diagnose: altogether including trim removal/replacement 5 hours
Time to repair: 1 hour
Time on computer: 2-3 hours (total)
Actual dollar cost of repair: <$20 (including new bulbs)
Dealership cost to perform diagnosis/repair: ????????

I've got no problem with dealership. The parts mgr and service mgr both gave me some good advice and they didn't sell me an electrical part which I wouldn't have been able to return. I wanted to avoid dealership for 2 reasons: 1) didn't want to pay $65/hr...that always hurts when it is a repair that I feel that I can do and 2) couldn't tie up me truck.

Thanks again to all
Dan!

 

Same thing happened to me today. Finished work, went to my 2001 F-150 to drive home and started but could not get it out of Park. Power windows would not work either. I think mine problem is in a relay somewhere. I turned my ignition switch to on, pulled the shifter selector to park, started the truck and drove home. I did not check my brake lights, need to do that tomorrow. I need to take the truck in for the recall for cruise...wonder if the problems are related?

 

How were you able to fix the wire when it broke inside the connector?

 

You can buy a pigtal to the switch at most parts suppliers for a few bucks or you can replace the pin in the connector if you have a replacement pigtal wire kit.