The Brake Light Interrupt

[DEFYANT]

Here is a simple thing to do to piss off an unauthorized user of your vehicle. Works great for spouses and kids too!

The Brake Light Interrupt.

Notice how you have to step on the break to get her out of Park? Go look under your dash and follow the brake pedal up. Not far, is a little switch with two wires. It is what activates your brake lights when you step the stop pedal. Simply wire in a hidden switch to interrupt the signal. With the switch "on" the brake lights dont work - the car is stuck in Park.

DANGER. IF YOU DO THIS, THERE IS RISK. ONCE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING THE SWITCH MUST BE KEPT IN "BRAKE LIGHTS - ON" POSITION. IF YOU LEAVE THE SWITCH IN THE WRONG POSITION, YOUR BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT WORK WHEN YOU STEP ON THE BRAKE. THIS COULD CAUSE A NON-PAYING ATTENTION DRIVER TO RUN INTO THAT UNOBTAINABLE - IRREPLACEABLE BACK BUPPER!

I figured this out back in 02 when police cars were left running and stolen by bad guys. Being one of the police who didn't want that to happen to me, I figured this out and hooked this in.

Ironically, the only person it ever hindered was a member of my agency who needed to use my car - ooops.

I should also mention there are aftermarket products to be had that are plug and play and will do the same or similar thing. I forget the cost, I just know it is a lot more than the $10+/- this will cost.

[SID210SA]

I remember back in HS this used to be a dragracing mod.....

[Spectragod]

I use a Tremco...

[Shaijack]

I did that to all my Police UNits.

[EMAS]

Of course if you have read a Ford owner's manual you know the trick to get around the shift interlock in case of failure. Turn the key far enough to unlock the mechanical lock on the shifter but not far enough to reach the "ON" position and activate the electrical lock, shift to neutral and then start the car.

[DEFYANT]

Of course if you have read a Ford owner's manual you know the trick to get around the shift interlock in case of failure. Turn the key far enough to unlock the mechanical lock on the shifter but not far enough to reach the "ON" position and activate the electrical lock, shift to neutral and then start the car.

Interesting observation. I have read the owners manual and never came across this. However the essence here is to prevent a "crime of opportunity", meaning, car is running, and bad guy trys to take it. Chances are, when the bad guy cant shift the car, he'll bail out and run. I dont think he'll take the time to read the manual or fiddle with the key or jiggle the shifter. :rolleyes:

[fastblackmerc]

Of course if you have read a Ford owner's manual you know the trick to get around the shift interlock in case of failure. Turn the key far enough to unlock the mechanical lock on the shifter but not far enough to reach the "ON" position and activate the electrical lock, shift to neutral and then start the car.

What page of the owners manual???? :confused:

[Mercguy04]

Good Idea.
Funny about someone else using your your RMP.

Stealing is even funnier, maybe not to you, but I bet you got some BS from the other guys and the CO.
Russell

[EMAS]

What page of the owners manual???? :confused:

In my 03 Marauder manual it's on pages 124-5, cant say for other Fords, but it's there in the brake shift interlock page on all Fords so equipped. Further down it includes the warning not to drive the vehicle until you verify if the brake lights are working since failure of the brake light fuse or switch is a likely cause of the shift lock solenoid not canceling.

[Horsepower]

In my 03 Marauder manual it's on pages 124-5, cant say for other Fords, but it's there in the brake shift interlock page on all Fords so equipped. Further down it includes the warning not to drive the vehicle until you verify if the brake lights are working since failure of the brake light fuse or switch is a likely cause of the shift lock solenoid not canceling.


Had this issue a couple months back. One of my circuits went bad and the brake lights went all stupid ... Fortunately a neighbor of mine who doesn't even own a car told me to how to get it in drive lol ... Average car theives Probly don't know this but his non driving ass sure did.