I was kinda leaning in the direction of SHO when this first came up....I thought broken wires in the column would maybe cause no light or a constant light but flashing is indicative of a code for tx internals.....??? But I'm not confident enough to say with certainty

 

Lol! Suspected something along that line. FWIW, the scan tool must be capable of reading "manufacturer-specific" codes, as a minimum.

Unless someone who is an SME (subject matter expert) provides additional insight, I'm fairly certain I covered the function of the wiring harness and it's probable failures. If I've missed anything as far as failure modes go, I'd be happy to hear from said SME.

 

I am not aware of any code that can be set by the wires in the column EXCEPT for the code for no input during self test.

As for my credentials, I used to supervise the transmission engineering group responsible for setting all transmission codes and flashing the OD light.

 

I just went to the FORscan site and as of September they no longer are working with IOS/Apple because of an issue with getting any support whatsoever with the techs at Apple. I am having a similar issue with the switch/blinking light on my F-350.

 

I can't hardly blame them. From the first days of Apple Jobs' mantra was that people don't know what they want, we tell them what they want. That corporate culture continues today.

Just buy an inexpensive laptop, or aren't there even "IBM" simulators for Apple machines?

I would only write to your PCM with a wired connection anyway. If you should happen to lose BT you can brick your vehicle

 

Then use either Windows or Android versions/hardware.

 

Any recommendation for the OBD link? Looks like theirs is about $60 on Amazon.

 

Ya know I used the one they reco and it's VERY flakey at the USB at my laptop. If I wiggle it around I can sometimes get it to initiate. I know it could be my computer (relatively new laptop and I rarely use it) but other USB things don't suffer the same problem in the same port.

I ordered a second one but have not had time to test it out.

 

Thanks!!
USB should be standard but? So you bought a second OBDLINK from FORscan?

 

Yeaaahhhh.....definition of insanity, eh? If I was smart I would have tried a different product, but that'd be asking too much of me apparently

But again, I cannot yet blame the OBDLINK because I haven't seen if the new one behaves the same. It could still be my laptop.

I do recall I had to first update the firmware on my first OBDLINK before my laptop would recognize it at all. I'm hoping the second one already has newer firmware on it 'cause it was kind of a pain

 

Buy a NGS and be done with all that?
Have Someone read the codes?
Pretty common for a blinking OD lamp (on a Ford like yours) is code P1780 because your shift lever wiring is broken like this

 

 

Sorry, what is NGS? I can't see the photo very well but is it broken up in the stem? Mine looks fine on everything I can see when I pulled it out.

 

New Generation Star (ford dealer tester expensive af until recently)
You had your shift lever out and inspected the wiring?
Google code P1780 for a 01 F150 and you should find / see that photo straight away
Here is a pic of a NGS at a overstock place I believe for 279