Overdrive Off Isn't Working
 

The overdrive off button on my 1998 E-250 5.4 isn't functioning. Doesn't anyone have any experience with this problem? Thanks.

If you have a test lite , check all the fuses . There is one that protects the OD button circuit.

Thanks. I'm starting to think this is a common problem, as I've seen several Fords with this button tampered with in junkyards. What does a test light have to do with checking fuses, though? I thought you just pulled the fuse and looked at it? I'm a fairly experienced shadetree mechanic, but wiring makes me cringe . . .

If you connect the test lite to a good ground, you can touch the top of every fuse on both sides. If it lites on one side it must lite on the other side of the same fuse. If it doesn't the fuse is open. Simple as that. You don't have to go pulling every fuse to check them all. Keep in mind some fuses are hot only when the key is on, so you turn on the key and check those the same way. You don't have to know which fuse controls what and it saves a lot of time and pulling the wrong fuse(s).
I have seen the same thing you noticed on the OD button area. I believe most of them were broken because the person shifting out of park didn't depress the brake pedal and was determined to move that lever and the plastic broke.

you may already have this sorted by now, i had the same thing on my 03 diesel, i had to change the gear shift lever as the switch in the lever was bad. cost around $100 from Ford and easy to do yourself

There have also been some issues with the wiring in the steering column.

I have a 2012 E150 and the OD OFF button stopped working. It was working intermittently from time to time depending on the temperature outside, but now it won't work at all. Can you give me any help with how to replace this, or send me a link to some instructions or a video that shows me how to do this?