Ford Repair: 2002 E-350 brake shift interlock probs, first postion, washboard road

Question
Hi,
I'm in Baja Mexico with an electrical problem.  Am blowing fuse 11 when I place vehicle into park after driving.  If I shut down the vehicle, replace the fuse, then re-start I can move the gear selector out of park and into drive, but as soon as I place it back into park the fuse blows and I'm stuck in park  until I repeat the deal.  For a lack of many fuses (manual says 15 amp, I'm running a 20 in there now) I have been leaving the vehicle in Neutral and setting e-brake unless I need to shut down the vehicle long term (while camping, as I am now) in which case I have been turning off the vehicle in neutral, removing the fuse, putting the gear selector in park and waiting to reinstall the fuse until it's time to drive (need brake lights).

So, any thoughts on where I can find the short?  Looked at the brake pedal wiring for obvious stuff and no luck.  Could I be okay just running the 20 amp fuse?  Is there a gear selector lever problem?  This all started after 100 miles on very rough washboard road.

Thanks for the help. . .Mark
gravity@coinet.com

Answer
That fuse is for the brake interlock, speed control deactivator switch, and the stop lamp relay. Start by checking under the dash for a wire rubbed thru to metal possibly causing a short. Pay particular attention to the shift lock solenoid wiring. This problem could be in any of these areas, you'll have to narrow it down somehow. The deactivator switch is in the engine compartment, left side. Look for the light green/red wire which is common to all the circuits on this fuse.

Does it blow the fuse when you step on the brake pedal, or as you shift out of park? If it happens when shifting I suggest looking in the area of the shift lever and tube, it may be rubbing on the wire circuit in that area.

You can shift out of park by turning the key to the first postion and then move the shift lever (not the ON position, the one before that). We have used this method for years on dead batteries and such. I'm sure it will work on 2002.

The washbooard roads may have jarred something loose, also check the rear by the brake lights, if this is a cargo van the wiring may be exposed to stuff moving around.

Good luck, and thanks for the details, helps a lot.