96 Ford Explorer; can't shift the gear selector and the brake lights don't work- checked all the fuses and they're good. owner's manual mentions a gear interlock circuit tied in with the brake lights- where is this circuit at? what might be the cause of my problem? Thanks!
2006-11-22 16:56:06 · 7 answers · asked by cwo5norris 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ Ford
There is a brake light switch at the top of the pedal. It has 2 to 4 wires coming out of it. There are a few possibilities about what happened here:
The connector came disconnected from the switch by an accidental kick (unlikely).
The switch has gone bad (high-resistance at all states).
Or some of the wiring in the brake light circuitry has rubbed through, been cut, or gone bad.
Start by disconnecting the connector at the brake light switch and test for +12v (check all the wires). If you don't have 12v, you have a problem either a fuse or wiring from the fuse panel to the switch.
If you do have 12v at one of the pins I am about 90% sure you have a bad brake light switch...about $20 or so any any auto parts store.
Good luck!
MikeC
2006-11-22 17:27:07 · answer #1 · answered by MikeC 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The shifter is interlocked with the brake through the brake light circuit. Check the bulbs and re-check the fuses with a circuit tester. To set the vehicle into gear, do the following:
1- set the park brake
2- turn the ignition key past the lock position, but not to full "ON" (run position)
3- shift the transmission to NEUTRAL (it will move when there is no power to the interlock switch)
4 - start the engine
5- shift into reverse or drive, release the park brake and away you go
6- MAKE SURE YOU DON'T PUT IT INTO PARK UNLESS YOU ARE STOPPING FOR A WHILE, OR YOU WILL HAVE TO STOP THE MOTOR AND GO THROUGH ALL THIS AGAIN
2006-11-22 17:21:40 · answer #2 · answered by nyninchdick 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hey.. I may be wrong although I had the same problem on a mustang.. 3 things to look at. 1, sensor In the fuse box In the hood compartment. 2. bad connection In those areas "eg" ground, and finally there Is a little brake switch box that connects to the brake peddle It self. That box easily breaks apart due to short wires that stretch and tear. That was my problem, so I just spliced the main wire for slack sake, and I never had that problem again. As far as the blinker, I hate to tell you, but It might be the actual bar It self, and It Isn't cheap. Oh" by the way, I got a ticket for that and I didn't even know I was driving with no brake lights. Good luck In your endeavors.. Steve NYC
2016-05-22 20:50:07 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is an electric solenoid switch connected to your brake pedal that unlocks your gear selector. It is also controlled by a neutral switch that tells the system that you are in Park or neutral..If it is not aligned or defective you can't start the truck. There should be a small access hole somewhere near your shifter that you open and you can push a small screwdriver into and it will let you shift..
2006-11-22 16:58:55 · answer #4 · answered by the_buccaru 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes there is a shift interlock , but the brake switch is the problem you are having... either the switch has gone bad, or the wire connector on that switch has broke and is causing the problem.
when pulling off the connector, I sometimes find that connectors wiring burnt and broken .. so best bet is to replace the connector (can be found at any Ford dealer basically) and replace the switch to fix
2006-11-24 13:23:58 · answer #5 · answered by gearbox 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the brake light switch is a on off of curcit the switch above it is to unlock shifter that the click noise you hear at the shift lever +check fuzes and conection
2006-11-22 17:09:59 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
on a 96 - check the fan belt
2006-11-22 16:58:45 · answer #7 · answered by forex 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋