kerbyg

So yesterday I bought an '86 F150; 4.9I 300 v6; motor, tranny, carb was supposedly rebuilt a few years back - runs great so I'm not questioning it. Most flaws are cosmetic but the gear indicator bar does not show. Panel lights work but I don't know what I need to do to get gear indicator bar to show.


It's just a pain not being sure what gear you just put the truck into. I embarrassed myself (no one else knew) at gas pump. I thought it was in park and after getting back in I tried to start it. Nothing. After a few early morning I need coffee moments I checked what gear it was in...neutral.


Anyways any suggestions are appreciated.

Chris_1

iTrader: (1)

There's usually a little cable from the column to the gear indicator. That would be where to start.

GhostriderI

Here is a replacement indicator assy. from LMC, item 4
http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/FD/full.aspx?page=34
Also you can find the at the local U-Pull_it place (1980-1986 bronco, f150, and f250 with a c4, c5, or c6 transmission use the same indicator, and I think some of the E series in this year group might also work) for less, just inspect the string that is attached to the indicator to make sure it is not broken.

Hope this helps

kerbyg

Thanks guys. I'll be at the auto skills on base this week and see if I can find an unplugged cable; if not i'll place my second LMC order this week.

GhostriderI

People call it a cable. It is not, it looks like a piece if fishing line in a plastic tube, comes out of the right side of the indicator, goes under the steering column to a point on the left side about 11 o'clock there is a "clamp" with a screw that holds the plastic tube and the string moves from the indicator through the tube to the attachment point on the gear selector tube. Be careful lowering the steering column there is not much slack to play with (ask me how I know) maybe 1 to 1 1/4 inches, if that much. Once you remove the lower cover you should be able to inspect you setup and see if it is broken or disconnected.

Hope this helps

kerbyg

Thanks GhostriderI; I'd just be wildly looking without that description.

GhostriderI

Hopefully you don't do what I did and "drop" the steering column and ****** the tube and string out of the indicator housing, I was holding the column tracing the tube and let it down to low and heard a little pop as it let go. That is when I figured out all you have to do is loosen the two nuts that hold the column up, not remove them, to disconnect that cable to prep to remove the instrument cluster. Lesson learned Also the "clamp" on the end of the string that attaches to the steering column has a little slot to adjust the indicator position. I counted down the detentes to drive and adjust mine to show center of the D and every thing else lined right up.

Hope this helps