The truck WAS running fine, been keeping up with everything until.......today. And the problem is not the truck it is 150% me doing something stupid. Yep, here I am the slinkie with a problem and, I truly need help. I need the truck to get to work. What's new?

So the immediate problem is that the ABS light is flashing and the truck will not get out of park, additionally---if that is not enough---the tail lights are out. AND, I, SLINKIE BILL am totally responsible for this conundrum.

Today, everything is going fine, I decide to tap into the tail lights and rig up a wiring harness for a trailer. Yes the truck did come with a trailer light package, but, I did not think it worked so I took it out and went straight into the wiring for the lights on the left rear side.

My truck is a 1997 FORD F-150 with pretty close to 350,000 miles---all done by me. It is a GREAT TRUCK.

Here is what I did.

I opened up the light on the left rear. I exposed the bulbs and the wiring to the bulbs. Attached to the wiring into the plugs are two 3M fast connectors with wiring coming from each of the two wires. one of the wires went into the FORD wiring harness under the truck. The other wire was ground and it did not go anywhere. I have had the truck since I bought it new in 1997 I have a cap with a third light on it--out--and I figured the ground wire may have gone to that.

I thought I was doing pretty good with the light, I managed to get LEFT TURN AND BRAKE with no problem. I managed to get TAIL LIGHT with no problem. I was all set to go to the right side, and, I thought I would check how everything was working one more time. This time, when I hit the BRAKE PEDAL---the trailer light went out, and, then the tail lights for the truck went out too.

I figured that wire that went into the harness that was in the beginning wired into the lights on the left side was important.

I decided---what the FFF---it is probably a ground I'll just hook it up to the ground. I think the wire was for something to do with the brakes. The ABS light started flashing, and, the truck will not get out of park.

I KNOW I AM AN IDIOT-- A SLINKIE of an IDIOT, but I did manage to keep this GREAT TRUCK moving for over 350,000 miles.

I don't know what the FFF I was thinking, I have never before "JUST" did anything on this GREAT OLD TRUCK.

Best Regards,

Billy

 

So, I guess I should say, and, I know this for a fact after using the site for many,many,years, that, I resolved the problem---THAT I MADE---by digging into FORDFORUM posts on "ABS light stays on." A similar problem was resolved by checking fuses for the other guy, so, I CHECKED fuses too. What a thought!!
Fuses. Problem solved. No tow truck!!!
Thanks for the Forum and the people who go out of their way to help others.
Billy

 

Hey , you helped yourself, and that's good.
I always remember,
"The good Lord helps those who help themselves, but not those who get caught helping themselves "!
Ya gotta have some humor in your life , that's what keeps us going. Stay in touch.

 

Glad to see you got it repaired. I would remove the connectors and repair the original wiring and install the wiring down under the truck. I think they make a connector assembly thet just plugs in to the existing wiring harness. No cutting and splicing.
Ford Trailer Wiring - Compare Prices, Reviews and Buy at Nextag - Price - Review

 

I myself have fallen victim to the easiest of fixes - the fuse.

Frustrating, but in the end a bit comical.

Good to hear you got through it.