I have searched out my issue and only seen one other post on another Ford Truck forum with the same issue, but the original poster never said what his issue was. Here is the deal:

My 02 F150 4.6 4x2 shuts off while driving - usually when I am coasting, but also at varied speeds, even highway speeds. The motor dies, the gauges all go to 0, and the odometer shows ------ I have to shift to N and coast...if I try to re-start it just turns over and over...gauges still all at 0.

I have determined that if I reach behind the fuse panel and wiggle the wiring harness, my gauges will come back and I will be able to re-start it.

I noticed yesterday, that after it did this and I got it re-started, the red 'Theft' light was blinking rapidly. A clue, perhaps?

I have tightened the 10mm bolt that holds the two wire bundles into the back of the cabin fuse box (by driver's door).

Anybody got a clue as to where to start? I have crawled under the dash, looking for loose, chaffed or otherwise odd looking wire, but so far no good. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

Just some comment about what you discribe.
If the motor dies and the dash goes out, there is a power failure.
It could be the ignition switch or a relay/fuse seating issue if you can get it to run by moving things under the dash.
The PAT system is not the source of the problem but will become involved again after the motor dies or loses power just the same as a return to a restart condition.
If the problem is present at a restart it will flash the lamp.
Matter of fact it may even give a code to help pin point or vairify the issue. When you get this again. Turn off the ignition then back to on and let it set a few minutes. If the PATS detects something it will flash a code.
Post the code here to see what it is telling.
Good luck.

 

Thanks for the input...I didn't drive it today, but will continue to troubleshoot.

Thanks for the heads-up on the PAT.