Hi everybody,

Just picked up an 1985 F150 pickup, yea it's yellow. It's got a few problems to be delt with, but this new one popped up. Hope someone
can give me a clue. The truck is automatic, straight 6, gear shifter on the column. It has a lot of play in the shifter, if you touch it, it moves up and down without changing gears. When you go to put it into reverse
the engine engages, but the shifter indicator to "R" takes a second, and
when shifted into "P" Park, the truck again engages, but the shift lever
indicator in the dash has the red line floating over to "P" park slowly.
Scared me at first, but was told as long as the truck engine is engaging
not to worry about it. I think this could only get worse.

Anyone had this problem before and how to fix it?

Thanks,

333Wildfire

 

The P RNDL is just an indication in the gear your transmission. The little cable (string in plastic tube) on the steering column is probably just dirty. As long as the engine and transmission engage and disengage correctly you have no driving problem just dash indicating (the assembly can be picked up from a junk yard, I know '80 to '86 will swap out).

 

Hi Ghostrider1,


Thanks for the info, good to know it can be delt with later. Just got back
from the mechanic and will be planning for the repairs as follows:
Leaks: Transfer case, Differential, Oil pan gasket, then Tie rod and
pitman arm ends. Probably will replace the EGR and both Kingpins. Oh yea, have a hole, quarter size, in the tail pipe and the door handle fell off.

Don't you hate it when vehicles aren't maintained, that's a lot of messed-up stuff.

I do like this truck, it has a lot of working options and will be great when I go out prospecting.

Thanks again,

333Wildfire

 

The small diameter cable on my '86 is broken in several places so my indicator does not line up correctly as well.
The plastic sheath has gotten very brittle with age and is easy to break. I would look at that carefully if you find a junk yard part.

 

True, if you go to a you pull it you have the chance to inspect when you remove the assy. form there there truck.