Just bought a 92 f150 with the 302 and the trans just started to stay in first gear in drive. If i shift manually, it runs ok but when i got to drive, it drops back to first. I have checked the fuses and plugs. Only thing so far is the rabs light on and no speedo. I tried to pull the codes by grounding the black/orange wire but no flashing. I am thinking its related to the speedo but have no experience in fords and wanted opinions. Thanks

 

Do your door lights come on when you open the door? I had a similar experience on a drive home once, turned out the fuse was cracked and not completely blown so I thought it was good. Try switching it with a new or different fuse that is known to work. Another symptom of this fuse being the issue would be the odometer will sort of light up but will not display any numbers.

If the fuse is good your PSOM may be bad, which is a common issue.

 

Definitely sounds like something electrical. Do you know what trans you have? If e4od does it shift to third with o/d off? Also side note, how's your idle?

 

You have no speedometer, does the odometer, the thing that shows the total miles on the truck, show when you turn the ignition switch on or start the engine?

 

The total miles doesn't show. Tomorrow i am going to get a cluster from a base f350 with no tach for the mean time while i get one with a tach. The idle sometimes is high but its due to the fact that the trottle sticks open a little.

 

I have an e4od. The door light fuse was blown along with the radio fuse. So i dont know if the door light works. The rear abs light comes on as soon as i put the switch in the run. So i presume the abs problem is electrical. I also noticed the brake master cylinder is new, but doesn't have the level sensor so i am guessing thats why its on. The brake light doesnt come on even with the parking brake. It did come on once and didn't turn off since

 

That is your problem then, replace that fuse and you will be good to go. Like I said had the same issue with it hard shifting, not shifting, it's that stupid fuse. Ford in all it's wisdom decided to run the low amp lighting in with the critical PSOM power instead of using a bigger fuse box. Don't waste money yet, just swap in a good fuse and I can almost guarantee your problems will be solved.

 

Parts are free. There are several decomissioned 350's with the 5.8 eith auto an manual trans as well as diesels. I will do that and report back tomorrow

 

If you get a dash(speedometer) pay attention to the year of truck it came out of. I believe '92 and '93 are the same, but don't quote me on that. I know they look the same '92 through '96 '97 but there is something different about the workings behind the dash. I would try and check with a salvage yard that could tell you for sure what years would work with your '92.

Also I don't think getting a working speedometer will fix your transmission shifting problem.

 

Replaced fuse and now shifts. Still no speedo though but will eventually figure it out. Thanks!