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Can't get your ATX out of park? No brake lights? Looky here for help.
Most of the time when you have an ATX car and you can't get the shift lever out of park, the problem will be with the BOO (Brake On/Off) switch.
If you are experiencing this problem, check to see that you can turn the key between the off position and run position and put the car down into neutral. If this is the case then your BOO switch is bad and needs to be replaced.
Now, something to keep in mind for those of you who think that it's just a minor inconvenience and that it's OK to keep driving your car with this problem....think again. When your BOO switch goes out you will have running lights but you will not have any brake lights. This can be a very dangerous thing for obvious reasons.
So, now that we've figured that the problem is with the BOO switch, here's how to replace it. It's a $9.00 part at Murray's, $5.49 at Advance Auto Parts, etc. The replacement part number is SL31291 and is made by Niehoff.
Here is the replacement procedure:
First thing, locate the switch. It's on the brake pedal just below the steering column. There is an electrical plug that must be unplugged. I don't know how brittle this plug can be but take care that you don't break the clip off. I used a small flathead screwdriver to get mine off but I was extra careful not to break it.
Oh, and technically you should disconnect the battery....but I didn't. Meh!
Once you have the plug off you'll need to remove the clip that holds the switch on the brake pedal. This is not an ordinary cotter pin and let me tell you, for once, Ford paid special attention to holding power. It's a tough little bugger.
So now that you have the clip removed, the switch can be removed. Pay attention to how the plastic pieces fit onto the new switch. The plastic piece that fits on the passenger side (outer) part of the switch should be reinstalled after you place the switch in position on the pedal.
Once in place, reinstall the clip and plug the connector into the switch.
Turn the car on and once again you should be able to put your car into any gear as normal. You'll also have tail lights again.
Again, this is for ATX cars. I'm sure the MTX has the same or similar switch however it won't have the same effect as it does with ATX cars for obvious reasons however the replacement of it should be the same or similar.
Technical drawings:
That's it! The worst part about this job is contorting your body to see what you're doing. Even so, it's a 5 minute replacement job if that.
Most of the time when you have an ATX car and you can't get the shift lever out of park, the problem will be with the BOO (Brake On/Off) switch.
If you are experiencing this problem, check to see that you can turn the key between the off position and run position and put the car down into neutral. If this is the case then your BOO switch is bad and needs to be replaced.
Now, something to keep in mind for those of you who think that it's just a minor inconvenience and that it's OK to keep driving your car with this problem....think again. When your BOO switch goes out you will have running lights but you will not have any brake lights. This can be a very dangerous thing for obvious reasons.
So, now that we've figured that the problem is with the BOO switch, here's how to replace it. It's a $9.00 part at Murray's, $5.49 at Advance Auto Parts, etc. The replacement part number is SL31291 and is made by Niehoff.
Here is the replacement procedure:
First thing, locate the switch. It's on the brake pedal just below the steering column. There is an electrical plug that must be unplugged. I don't know how brittle this plug can be but take care that you don't break the clip off. I used a small flathead screwdriver to get mine off but I was extra careful not to break it.
Oh, and technically you should disconnect the battery....but I didn't. Meh!
Once you have the plug off you'll need to remove the clip that holds the switch on the brake pedal. This is not an ordinary cotter pin and let me tell you, for once, Ford paid special attention to holding power. It's a tough little bugger.
So now that you have the clip removed, the switch can be removed. Pay attention to how the plastic pieces fit onto the new switch. The plastic piece that fits on the passenger side (outer) part of the switch should be reinstalled after you place the switch in position on the pedal.
Once in place, reinstall the clip and plug the connector into the switch.
Turn the car on and once again you should be able to put your car into any gear as normal. You'll also have tail lights again.
Again, this is for ATX cars. I'm sure the MTX has the same or similar switch however it won't have the same effect as it does with ATX cars for obvious reasons however the replacement of it should be the same or similar.
Technical drawings:
That's it! The worst part about this job is contorting your body to see what you're doing. Even so, it's a 5 minute replacement job if that.
