2000 f250 overdrive on/off switch

the overdrive on/off switch on my f250 don't work. i replaced the button with a new one and still no results. what else could it be?

AMCO transmission shop will pull transmission codes free. I would check for codes first. Auto Zone and Advance Auto will pull codes free also. I would check that all plugs on the transmission are plugged in. Apparently the torque converter isn't locking in is that correct.

i talked to a few transmission guys and a ford mechanic and two of the three said the same thing. Fords are notorious for a wire losing connection inside the shifter itself. they said the quickest option was to just replace the whole shifter (takes about 20 minutes and cost just under $100.00). another option is to try and find the wire that is losing connection and re solder it.

I'm not familiar with your vehicle, but I'd suggest you take a look at this thread (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/t910350.html) for a Windstar with the same problem. After much discussion, the problem turned out to be a broken wire, just as you described, and if you skip down to the last post in the thread, there's a link to a photo of that wire.

Your switch is wired in an almost identical fashion to the Windstar. Here's the wiring diagram (http://www.freewebs.com/selectron/2000-f250-overdrive-cancel-switch.pdf) for the F250 Overdrive Cancel Switch, and it works like so: from fuse 19 (10A, Central Junction Box) a red/yellow wire applies 12V to the switch input terminal and the high side of the indicator lamp. When the switch is closed, a tan/white wire feeds that voltage forward to pin 29 of the PCM. If conditions are right, then pin 12 of the PCM will ground the low side of the lamp via the white/light green wire, and the lamp will then illuminate.

Notice though that at the point where those three wires connect to the switch, it says 'NCA' - that's 'No Colour Available', so the wire colours immediately adjacent to the switch are not known. Judging by that Windstar photo though, you'll have no problem identifying them, and it looks like he had to cut that short section of the harness open to get a good look at them and find the broken one.

Did you ever get a conclusion? I have same problem and I have been told on the forum that it may be a shifter problem which is common to
Fords. Playing around with system I can sometimes, seldom though, get the system and OD button to work. This is usually when I have been driving the truck for a while and move in and out of drive until it starts working normal. So maybe if I knew where the shifter was I could learn more. I am guessing that the shifter, whereever it is, is not supplying power that it is supposed to provide even though the unit is in drive. So what is a shifter?

Thank you all. you guys put me on the right track and the problem is solved. I took the easy route and just replaced the whole gear shifter. It took about 45 minutes and not as much as you would think had to be removed. thanks again

the "shifter" being referred to is the gear selecter shifter where the o.d. push button is located. I just bought the whole assembly from ford and took off the cover around the steering column and replaced the whole unit. It took about 45 minutes and the problem is fixed.

the "shifter" being referred to is the gear selecter shifter where the o.d. push button is located. I just bought the whole assembly from ford and took off the cover around the steering column and replaced the whole unit. It took about 45 minutes and the problem is fixed.


How much for the shifter?

Thanks everyone. I went out to Ford and bought a shifter as well and based on advice here I probably won't be posting on this problem again. Cost from Ford is $65 retail and includes a new shifter arm, boot, OD button and wiring with plug. I was into the steering column plastic once before so your estimate of 45 min seems about riight. It does take me an extra 15 min to disconnect the two batteries in the diesel as a safety to prevent air bag deployment. So everyone's previous experience was invaluable and much appreciated. Thanks again.

Yes, that did it. The shifter wiring was internally defective as per previous report of a similar problem.

To recap: If your having trouble with your OD not working and button is sometimes ineffective you probably have the same situation. Replace the shifter as described prevously. Disconnect batteries, remove the three philips screws on the bottom plastic, remove the tillt lever with a small crescent wrench, set asside the bottom plastic, remove the lock tumbler now accesable with bottom plastic removed, this is accomplished with the with key in and switch in on postition. Release tumbler by pushing in locking ball at bottom with a very small philips. This allows you to pull out tumbler with key in and tumbler in run postion. You now have access to the top plastic. Next locate and disconnect the four conductor small plug coming from the OD button in the old shift lever. Lift out the hood of the old assembly you are replacing. Last of the removing steps is pulling the pin straight upward so you can remove the gear lever and associated parts. Now the easy part. Just reassemble the same way you took it apart.

Now that I have done one it probaly takes would take about 15 minutes but the first one took me an hour.

Just came across this thread and have a question:

I have a 2003 F350. When I push the overdrive (tow/haul) button, it lights up, but I notice no other difference. Am I supposed to feel the truck come out of overdrive?

Sorry to sound stupid, but this is my first Ford.

Just came across this thread and have a question:

I have a 2003 F350. When I push the overdrive (tow/haul) button, it lights up, but I notice no other difference. Am I supposed to feel the truck come out of overdrive?

Sorry to sound stupid, but this is my first Ford.


If its in O/d you should feel it kick out, yes.

If its in O/d you should feel it kick out, yes.


Thanks for the reply.

I tried it again and it does kick out. Didn't feel it last time, it was a lot more subtle about it than I expected. Still learning a lot about this truck. So far, I've had it only 2 weeks. And I like it.

Good deal, What motors in it?

Good deal, What motors in it?

6.0 powerstroke

6.0 powerstroke

Great you should love it! Have fun.