I Did a search to diagnose this problem and came up an answer. Seems to be a real common problem. The 99 and up trucks also have this problem, but its a simple soldering fix. But for the 97-98 years, its another problem. There is a small plastic gear inside the odometer that wears or just breaks. Most o the time while resetting the trip while driving. Just so happens that my trip is at 0000. meaning, most likely the previous owner was driving it, tried pressing the trip button and chewed the gear up.

So where would one find a new gear? I don't really want to buy a whole new cluster just for the odometer gear...

 

Oh, and if my only choice is to buy a new cluster, does it matter what model I get it from? 5 speed or auto? I'm guessing it has to be from 97-98. But does anything else matter? reason i ask is, my cluster does not have a RPM tach, or anything else really. I have noticed some nicer looking clusters on eBay that claim to fit ALL 1997 F150's

 

yes your only choice is a whole new cluster, you need one from a 5 speed. Shouldn't be that expensive....check Ebay

 

has anyone else had this exact same problem?

I found a few clusters on ebay. but there's gotta be a gear out there to replace this. I don't want the mileage on the odometer to beat off anymore than it already is. The few on ebay are about 200,000 miles different from what my mileage is. technically, I think it is against the law also.