Community Forums

98winnie · 07-16-2019, 05:59 AM

I have a 98 winnebago on a F53 chassis. Took it out for a short drive yesterday, and when stopping it at the storage lot, the transmission became stuck in park. After making a call to the local ford shop, they suggested if my brake lights aren't working, then its the brake switch. A guy at the lot said my brake lights indeed don't work. I am going back over this morning to see if thats the problem, but wanted to know if anyone else has had this problem. If it is the brake switch that sounds like a fairly simple fix.

Thanks.

pameridan04 · 07-16-2019, 06:55 AM

If your break lights are not on it will not come out of park. It is probably the switch. Here is a trick if you have to get out of park. Because of the age of your F53 I am not sure it will work.

Turn you ignition key to off. Disconnect the negative ground lead to your battery. Move ignition to ON position, not start. Pull shift out of park to neutral. Reconnect positive lead to battery. Start coach.

98winnie · 07-16-2019, 09:22 AM

thanks for the tip on getting it out of park. I was able to get the rv back in it's parking place. Haven't replaced the brake switch yet, since it's hotter than blue blazes and humid here in Ok. I'll get that done in the am when it's cooler.
By the way, RV people are some of the friendliest people I've met. Four or five people at the storage lot stopped by to see if they could help.
Again, appreciate the tip.

Randalpho · 07-16-2019, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pameridan04

Turn you ignition key to off. Disconnect the negative ground lead to your battery. Move ignition to ON position, not start. Pull shift out of park to neutral. Reconnect positive lead to battery. Start coach.

No need to disconnect the battery. Turn the key to the first click which is accessory, place shifter in neutral with foot on the brake and start it.
The wiring at the brake switch is famous for breaking too. The harness is short and from constant flexing either wire may break.

marjoa · 07-16-2019, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randalpho

The wiring at the brake switch is famous for breaking too. The harness is short and from constant flexing either wire may break.

1) Is the brake switch you're talking about right under the brake pedal?

2) The harness you speak of also, are you talking about what's connected to the switch in that same general area?

98winnie · 07-16-2019, 02:19 PM

the brake switch is located on the brake pedal. I disconnected and the wiring looks good. Have not reinstalled the new one yet due to the high heat around here this afternoon. will tackle that early tomorrow.

Randalpho · 07-16-2019, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marjoa

1) Is the brake switch you're talking about right under the brake pedal?

2) The harness you speak of also, are you talking about what's connected to the switch in that same general area?

1)Yes it's near the middle of the brake pedal where the linkage goes into the master cylinder.

2)Yes it's a two wire connector attached directly to the switch. It breaks right around the number 4 in the picture. Although starting in the late 90's Ford started using a newer style switch with more than two wires but same principle.

Randalpho · 07-16-2019, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 98winnie

the brake switch is located on the brake pedal. I disconnected and the wiring looks good. Have not reinstalled the new one yet due to the high heat around here this afternoon. will tackle that early tomorrow.

I had a 98 Mercury Mountaineer with the multiple wire style switch. I removed it and easily opened it up. There were two sets of contacts, one set for stop lights, auto locks/accessories, and another set for the engine computer (BOO-Brake On/Off).

The set that worked the stop lights had burned and deformed from excessive heat and age. I cleaned and bent the contacts to work again. This was temporary till I picked up a new switch a few days later.

98winnie · 07-18-2019, 06:39 AM

so to update, I installed the new brake switch which was a simple job. Same problem as before though. I called a local ford dealership and they said they can take a look at it. Could be a short somewhere, which is too many for me to figure out. I'll have my wife follow directly behind me since I have no brake lights... Thanks for all the inputs.

98winnie · 07-22-2019, 07:35 AM

So it finally cooled off a bit here in the Sooner state and I went back to the motorhome to try one more time. Jeez I feel like a dope. All I had to do once the new brake switch was installed was to reset the breaker. Anyway, all is well once again, and the total cost was $13.00. Having all the original manuals was a big plus too.
Thanks again for the inputs - much appreciated.