I have a 97 f150 4.6L automatic and something in the gear shifter keeps blowing the fuse that controls my instrument cluster. I think that the problem may be something with the overdrive transmission button in the end of the shifter. Can anyone help me PLEASE???

 

Pull the steering column covers off and look for rubbed through wires at the base of the shifter.

 

I tried this and couldn't find any. Is it possible to take the shifter off?

 

I've been through this on all 3 of our 1997-on Ford Automatics with the column shifter. It's most likely the O/D wires. It looks like Ford doesn't use quite enough length.

-Pop the cap off the O/D switch with your finger nail.

-Pull the O/D switch out and unplug the 3 wires (Note the correct terminals).

-Put the transmission in 1st gear.

-Pull back on the leather boot at the base of the lever and remove the pin to release the shift lever. After that, you can pull the shift lever off the wires.

One of the wires has probably frayed. You'll need to soilder in a new one and wrap it with tape or put a plastic sleave over it to keep this from happening again.