No brake lights / Stuck in Park !!

[ddawson]

No brake lights / Stuck in Park!

The ATX SHO would not release from Park into reverse. I did manage eventually by slamming the brake pedal for a while only to get stuck again.

After another bashing I finally got it home and into my garage. I have no brake lights including the 3rd LED stripe. I checked the fuses and didn't find any burnt. Also the parking brake light sometimes shows on even when its not. It will bounce between on and off depending on how rough the road is.

Any suggestions? I'm assuming it’s a sensor.

Would it be the black one attached to the brake pedal or the white one closer to the firewall?

The book I have dosn't give instruction of how to remove it. HELP shrug

 

[SHOtimer]

Ok, bashing your brake pedal and slamming on the gear shift will not help. Untill you get the switch fixed you can get out of park like this. Turn the key from the "lock" position forward approx a quarter turn before it goes to the "on" position. You can pretty much tell my feel when it is in this place. This position will unlock the lock on park and will allow you to shift into neutral and start your car, then proceed into whichever gear you need to go in. The switch you need to replace is the black one on the brake pedal, i'm not sure the name but i know that is the one that is broken in your instance. That sensor is the one that unlocks the gearshift lever when the brakes are pushed, it is also the one that illuminates the brake lights. I think you can get that sensor at AZ or kragen or whatever. Maybe it is a dealer only part IDK, someone else will chime in on where to get it. But, for the time being just turn the key forward a bit to release the gear shift ****.

Hope that helps.
Doug

 

[Electricat]

I don't remember the name of the switch either, but I replaced it a while back. It was only like $6 at Advance Auto. It is a standard Taurus part, not an SHO unique part, so it should be available at any auto parts store.

Also take a look at this thread on the same problem:
http://www.shoforum.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=17;t=003864

<small>[ February 13, 2004, 01:06 AM: Message edited by: Electricat ]</small>

 

[BenBrausen]

When I had that problem I had to unplug the connector on the underside of the master brake cylinder then replace the fuse for the brake lights. That was the solution for the problem when I had it. Some brake fluid had gotten in the connector and caused it to short out.

 

[TYSHO]

93 SHO ATX

Brake Light Switch
Borg-Warner #S6031
$6.79 @ O'Reilly Auto Parts w/Lifetime warranty.

 

[ddawson]

Kragens has it for $9.49. Thanks for the part # as it allows him to cross/ref. I'll pick one up tonight and see how it installs.

Thanks again,

 

[Zap]

FYI, this part is sometimes also called the BOO switch. (Brake On/Off, or something like that). It is relatively simple to replace, as I just recently had to replace one on our Sable . You first unplug the sensor and pull out the pin that holds the switch onto the shaft on the brake pedal. Then carefully slide the sensor and related bushings off, then reverse the process. It didn't take very long to replace, and it's nice to know you have brake lights again when you are done! (FWIW, it appears that the problem with this sensor is that it has a spring inside that eventually weakens and does not trigger the switch when you press the pedal.)

 

[ddawson]

Thanks, I replaced the Boo switch which was very easy. The only problem I still have is the parking brake light stays on or flashes while driving. "Yes the parking brake is off"

There is a switch that makes contact when the brake is released and I'm wondering if that's what I need to replace. The automatic brake release still works as well.

Thanks again for helping me keep the SHO running.

 

[projectSHO89]

See: Emergency break light on and off

Steve