On my 2001 Expy, the wiring harness for the tranny overdrive lockout switch is breaking, inside the steering column. I managed to repair the wire last year, but it must have broken again, as the lockout switch rarely works unless I can wiggle the lever into just the right position. Not a good idea when driving, as the "right" position means sometimes moving the lever so the transmission is out of gear.

The local Ford parts counter says they need the VIN, and have to order the wiring, for about $113 to $130, depending on which harness is the one I need. I may not have much time available to fix, rather than replace, but I have a lot more time than money, if you catch my drift. LOL

Does anyone have a better way to fix this? Because the wires have to go through the shift lever, there is very little room to work on it, especially since it previously broke right where it comes out of the lower end of the shift lever.

Does anyone know of a source for replacing the little connectors on the wire ends? That way, perhaps I can put in all new wires, with new ends that will fit the harness connector and switch.

Many thanks for your help!

 

What your talking about sounds extremely rare, so I would check some junk yards. Ford wants $113-130, a yard may charge ya $10 for both. They may even pull it for ya?

 

Thanks for the reply High_Horse.

I finally stopped by my local dealer parts counter last night to double-check the pricing. Sure enough the guy on the phone was looking at the wrong part. Must have been for the harness from the steering column down to the transmission, thus the need for my VIN. My problem is one of the 3 little wires breaking where it comes out of the gearshift lever on the steering column.

The price is $75, which includes the OD lockout button, indicator light, the wire already inserted in the new shift lever, and that inserted in the new shift lever boot. The part number has changed, indicating that it is a re-designed part, probably because the problem with these wires breaking is too common. I have read questions posted on this and another forum about the problem, and a lot of the posters describe the same symptoms not realizing where the problem is. I can probably get the part for jobber price, at about $53, as soon as I can figure out where the $$ is coming from.

Considering the time & trouble to fix it otherwise, and that I want to pull the camper out of town next weekend, I will probably have to go buy the $#%&@* thing. I don't like pulling the camper without having the OD lockout available! It's bad enough with just my in-town commute.

 

Have you checked the Recalls/TSB's tab to see if this is covered under a Ford recall for FREE? Its at the top of the page in the middle...

 

I checked through all, or nearly all of the TSB's. I don't think that I got through all of the recalls, yet. Since it is not any sort of safety issue, I would be surprised if it was in a recall. With some effort, I did manage to splice in a new set of wires today, by pulling the pin connectors out of the switch. But I will check the recalls anyway. Never know how long this fix will work.
Thanks.

2001 Expy XLT, 5.4L, 4x4
AMSOIL protects the drivetrain