Its a 96 F350 reg cab and was out plowing snow tonite and when my ABS light which had been ON, but then began a series of repeating 15 flashes.
I put the truck in PARK and then I found I couldn't move the lever to DRIVE anymore.
I then discovered the blue ABS fuse blown and replaced it which enabled me to move the lever until it blew again and was wondering if anybody has run into this and what to do to fix it? thx!

 

Is the truck on the side of a hill or other slope? Sometimes when it's parked at a vertical angle the park pawl is problematic to disengage - you then need to have the vehicle pushed up the hill just a little to let pressure off the pawl so you can shift into a different gear.

 

I can't help you diagnose what blew your fuse cause I don't have schematics for your truck, but I did want to mention a couple things...

First of all, looking at a blown fuse can tell you the nature of the problem. Look in the little window on either side of the fuse where you would normally see the wire element. If it's melted and broken but the window is clear, the fuse blew due to an overload. If the window is blackened and/or the wire element is vaporized, the fuse blew due to a dead short.

And secondly, if you ever get to where you can't shift out of park again, turn the key to the Lock position (where it normally is when you shut the truck off) then go one position forward (just before Run) and you can shift out of park even with the fuse blown. Shift into neutral then you can crank the truck from there.

 

Dixie
The fuse window is clear, so its must be an overload something to do w/ the ABS rear brakes. I think it must be plow related , something w/ snow in the drums eve thou it brakes normally.
That's a great idea on how to shift it w/ the fuse out. I will certainly keep that in mind if you think it will work.
Also, any other thoughts I would appreciate.


Also, the truck was not on a hill!

 

I just disconnected the column shift interlock on mine, it's easy. The particular mechanism Ford used wasn't very good and had problems disengaging when it got old, so no loss.

 

if the brake light fuse is blown it will due the same thing

 

Spktyr


How easy was it and how was it done?

 

I removed it when the steering column was out for repair.

You can find instructions on how to remove it here: http://www.justanswer.com/ford/18o9e-brake-shift-interlock-preventing-shift-gear.html

It can easily be done in the car, you just have to remove the steering wheel and clamshell covers first.

 

Great, Ill look into that!
Now, how about my incessant flashing ABS light??

 

Short in the wiring someplace? No idea other than maybe you had the RABS get unplugged and/or short out. Fords of this era require a special scanner for detailed ABS diagnostics, I've found.

 

What RABBS mean?

 

These trucks only have rear ABS. RABS means the Rear ABS valve body mounted in the firewall area.

 

Ok, that s Rear Antilock Brake System.
How would that cause the shifter to malfunction?

 

Also, is the RABS easy to plug in?

 

I did some reading to find that the light is flashing 15X which the published chart says its had a memory failure. How do I reset it or get it to remember again?