GEN 2 PRNDM console lights

[lifeline]

carry on, you're right.

 

[OriginalToken]

What is the point of having the letters light up if it doesnt tell you what gear it is in anyway? Just more lights? We have the gear indicator on the dash, just seems redundant without function. I actually think Ford should have put the gear indicator on the console, making it light up AND show the gear and skipped it on the dash, but thats just me.

Similar opinions (gear shift numbers should be on the console) have been expressed by other in this thread, and to each his own. However....


Having the letters light up near the gear shift is a very traditional approach, I have had many vehicles over the years with this feature. It provides a visual indicator of the position (PRNDM) you have selected in the dark.


But yes, with the gearshift position (PRNDM) also on the dash the lit console was a bit redundant. And that may be why Ford dropped it.


But, in my opinion, having the gear indicator (1-10), as opposed to the gross position (PRNDM) on the console and not in the dash is a none starter. I for one would almost never look down at the console to read what gear number I am in. Even in manual now I only occasionally glance at the gear number on the dash for reference, most often when coming to a full stop. If I had to turn my head right and down to read something on the console I simply would never get around to it.


Lit PRNDM worked on the console, but was redundant to the PRNDM displayed on the dash once those dash displays became a thing. Gear number readouts on the console would be a waste.


A word on related stuff, gear shifting. Today most transmissions are electronically controlled. I mean, even if you move a big lever to select the gears (PRNDM) you may be really just clicking a switch, there may no longer be a mechanical connection from the lever you move to the transmission. This mechanical linkage is becoming less and less common.


So some makers are trending away from levers / traditional gear shifts, and towards push button or dial gear selectors.


For example, my wifes Lincoln has a push button transmission. And I hate that. I have owned several push button transmission cars before, my 1964 Chrysler New Yorker is also push button, and that works OK, so why do I not like it in the Lincoln? Because with the Lincoln there is no tactile feedback as to what gear you select, you have to look at the button as you press it to make sure you are selecting the right gear or you have to wait for the selector to light up on the dash.


With a mechanical lever, such as the console shift of the Raptor, you quickly learn where each selected position (PRNDM) is. You don't have to look at the lever, you just squeeze the release and pull the lever back to the position you want. You feel when the lever passes each position, so going to Reverse is the first "click", Drive is the third.


But why, then, does the New Yorker work OK, with its pushbutton trans, while the Lincoln does not?


Because even in the dark you can feel each mechanical button of the New Yorker, and so you can select the gear without looking directly at the buttons.





As long as there is some kind of tactile feedback, some feel to let you know what gear you are in, such low effort systems work, be they dial, push button, or whatever. But truly effortless gear selection, such as the wide, flat, even, buttons of the Lincoln do not give such feedback.


T!

 

[OriginalToken]

Not exactly true as some 2018’s are built with them. And the rest of 2018 have the wiring for them.

And that is what started this thread. Some trucks had the lit indicators, and some did not. The first few people who noticed this were convinced Ford had made a mistake on the assembly line and left their lights of by accident. Even some dealers did not know Ford had done it on purpose.


The correct answer did come out until several pages into this thread, but unless someone is willing to read all the responses, it is easy to miss. And sometimes this question leads to other discussions, such as the blue trim around the USB ports, it appears some are lit and some are not, that may be another Ford change to production that no one has found a TSB for yet.


T!

 

[Alligator]

14 pages.....

View attachment 120672

Mine built December 17 and I’m glad they work. I wonder why they deleted the back light. No big deal breaker would have bought the truck anyway.

 

[Cliff Lohner]

18’ 802a with tech package and it doesn’t light up.... Cup holders are a nice tough though. Ha

 

[bigdave18629]

Sorry to be redundant, I have looked through many of the pages and missed the complete answer.....so on my 19 Ford has eliminated the console lights for gear selection? (no need to look for the disconnected wire I saw in posts)

 

[pastorwug]

Purchased the plastic light bar, found the unused plug under the console, glued the light bar on, plugged it in, closed up the console - 15 minutes tops. Easy install on a late OCTOBER/2018 build SCREW.

 

[Heeblet]

Purchased the plastic light bar, found the unused plug under the console, glued the light bar on, plugged it in, closed up the console - 15 minutes tops. Easy install on a late OCTOBER/2018 build SCREW.

This. It’s been stated so many times. If I were a mod I’d close the thread.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[bigdave18629]

Purchased the plastic light bar, found the unused plug under the console, glued the light bar on, plugged it in, closed up the console - 15 minutes tops. Easy install on a late OCTOBER/2018 build SCREW.

Thanks

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

[Nickshu]

My 802a Raptor built 4/2019 does not appear have the plug for the gearshift light bar in the harness. I bought the light bar and went to install it...plug is nowhere to be found.