By Joseph Ratz on Saturday, April 21, 2001 - 07:38 am: Edit

I got in my 97 disco (automatic), and the car wouldn't shift out of park. I then noticed the brakes lights also weren't coming on (although the brakes seem to be working). Any ideas? I did carry a heavy load earlier in the day but only for about 50 yards.

By Kyle Van Tassel (Kyle) on Saturday, April 21, 2001 - 08:16 am: Edit

Reach under the dash , find the brake switch , push down on the pedel with one hand and depress the brake switch plunger with the other. You have to push a little hard but it should reset.

Kyle

By Joseph Ratz on Saturday, April 21, 2001 - 08:38 am: Edit

Thanks! It's 3:30am here, but I'll try that tomorrow morning.

Joseph

By Jay R. on Sunday, April 22, 2001 - 07:33 am: Edit

Hi Joseph,

Here is something that I posted a while back. This is the solution to your problems. Hope this helps.

Problem: 97 Disco SE will not shift out of park and brake lights don't work.

Possible causes & solution:

(1) Check the fuse for the brake light. I believe this is combined with the indicator lights. So if your indicators are working, you are probably Ok.

(2) Remove the black plastic trim under the steering column. It is held together by 3 plastic rivets. I am not sure if there is some special tool that you need to use to remove these. I used the tried & tested brute force method. Just pry it a bit, hold it with a plier and yank it out. While yanking, make sure that you pull it straight out or you will break the plastic rivet. Ask me how I know :-)

(3) You will be able crawl in the footwell area and spot the two black switches right next to the brake pedal. A tube is attached to one of the switches (bottom on mine) which goes into the firewall. I believe this is the ABS (??) switch. A wiring harness is connected to the other switch. This is the break light / shift lock switch.

(4) Keep the brake depressed. I used a 2ft long 2x4 and wedged it into the seat. If you have this problem, invariably the plunger on the switch is stuck and will not extend out as you press the brake pedal. This is the problem.

(5) Try pulling the plunger out by hand and check if the brake lights are on. If yes, you will be able to shift out of park. Drive CAREFULLY to the dealer and buy a brake light switch. REMEMBER THAT YOUR BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T WORK. Replace the switch. This is easy as you just need to wiggle/yank it out.

(6) In my case, pulling the plunger out did not turn on the brake lights. So, I removed the harness going into the switch.

(7) The harness has 2 green wires & 2 white wires(GGWW). I used a small piece of wire to jump it and move the lever out of park.

(8) On my harness, I had to jump the outer green wire and the inner white wire. If this does not work, have your helper (hope you have one) watch the brake light while you start to jump all combinations until the brake lights go on. At this point you will be able to shift out of park. I am not sure if trying all the combinations is a good idea or not. I had no choice but to do it. You may do so at your own risk (if any).

Tools I used : small screw driver and pliers for this job.

Note: Attempt all this at your own risk.

Hope this helps.
Jay R.

By Jay R. on Sunday, April 22, 2001 - 07:36 am: Edit

OOOOOoooopppss....

"This is the solution to your problems"

SHOULD READ

"This is the solution to the problem"


Perils of posting before the first morning coffee. Need my caffeine this morning. Sorry about that.

Jay R.

By Kyle Van Tassel (Kyle) on Sunday, April 22, 2001 - 08:52 am: Edit

Yes Jay , that is the "Worst case" sollution to his problem. But most of the switches that are replaced arent even broken , they are simply out of adjustment. It has a ratchet mechanism built into it and by pushing the whole thing back you reset it.

Kyle

By Joseph on Monday, April 30, 2001 - 12:50 pm: Edit

Thanks, everyone. I tried to reset the switch and that didn't work. Actually, after that my brake lights were on constantly and I could shift gears at any time. So I just replaced the switch. Thanks again!

By danno on Wednesday, May 02, 2001 - 09:55 pm: Edit

careful, a spring most likely broke and is shorting across the contacts, which could lead to a fire. the one we replaced started to melt the plastic of the switch. we fixed the switch by dis-assembling the the switch and using a spring from a lighter to repair it and it was as good as new.

Danno