My 3 year-old flooded the dash of 2002 F150 SuperCrew (4.6L, 166K miles) with soda pop on Christmas Day. It ran into the dash slots that apparently cover the autolamp sensor. My brother noticed the headlights were on and we were unable to turn them off with the driver controls. We pulled some underhood fuses until we found the right ones to kill the lights and parking lights (2 fuses) until I was ready to leave my parent's house.

When I was ready to leave, I re-installed the fuses and the headlights came on immediately. Also, the Transmission Control Indicator Light (TCIL) on the shift lever was blinking. The engine was missing and the transmission refused to shift into OD. In fact, it may be stuck in 2nd. At 55MPH it was turning almost 3500 RPM. I replaced underdash fuse 29 (Autolamp Module, Transmission Overdrive Control Switch, Central Security Module,Belt Minder, according to owner's manual) even though it appeared OK but no help. I disconnected battery for about 1/2 hour at fuel stop in effort to reset electronics. No joy. I had a Check Engine Light (CEL) for a while but it went away.

I was able to drive it home (about 150 mi) like this. I disconnected battery so headlights would not run overnight.

Since all this happened after the soda pop flood, I suspect electrical damage and not a tranny problem. I can't imagine what would affect both headlights and tranny. I have searched all over these forums for a common headlight/tranny problem with no success.

FYI, probably unrelated but....

Shift lever is misaligned or something. I haven't been able to start the truck in Park for months. I shift to Neutral to start. I tell people it's a security feature :-). Clearly there has been an ongoing problem in the steering column.

Also (probably unrelated), cruise control does not work. When activated, the 'Cruise' light on dash flashes briefly and cruise does not engage. I can live without it.

Chuck

 

More info...I read the ODBII codes. CEL is not illuminated. Truck had battery disconnected overnight:

P1747 Pressure Control Solenoid A Short Circuit
P0755 Shift Solenoid B
P0743 Torque Converter Clutch Solenoid Circuit Intermittent
P0443 Evaporative Emission System Purge Control Valve Circuit
P1451 Evaporative Emission System Vent Control Circuit
P0135 O2 Heater Circuit (Bank 1, Sensor 1)

 

Sounds like the soda got into the GEM module behind the fuse panel and has shorted it out. It controls most automatic functions.