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I have a 2000 F-350 7.3L w/ an automatic tranny. Lately, espically after all the plowing I've done this year I am starting to notice that the orange indicator in the gauge cluster doesn't work as well as it used to. It goes like PRND21 or something like that. When I'm in part it tells me that I'm in R. The shift lever is loose to the point that if I push up on the shifter while it's in park the orange indicator goes to P. Is there a simple fix for this problem? I can't imagine I'm the only one with this problem. Its kinda annoying, espically since this is one of my company owned trucks- with all the people that drive it I'm afraid that somebody is going to have an accident because they think they're in the wrong gear.
If it is consistantly off in each gear range, there is an adjustment that can be made. The pointer is moved by a cable and there is usually a thumbwheel type adjuster that can be rotated to line it up. I havent messed with one in an F series but normally it is somewhere just under the instrument cluster. If it is only out of whack in park then chances are the mechanism is worn and an adjustment is not going to help much. With the age of the truck and the fact that you plow with it, meaning alot of shifting back and forth, you may have some wear issues. This is common with Fords columns, especially if you are a hard shifter.
The thumb wheel adjuster on the SD is to the right of the steering column under the access panel. BE CAREFUL with it. They are extremely fragile...
Edit: I just noticed you said the shift lever is loose. Fix that and I'd reason to bet it fixes your indicator at the same time...
Thanks again for the help! Yep- that little black wheel under the dash did the trick in just a few turns. Probably saved me a ton of money at Schmit Ford. Thanks again- FTE #1!!!!