No Brake Lights, Shifter Stuck In Park

[92LX50]

The victim is a 1992 LX 5.0 I can't get the shifter out of park when started. If I turn the key half way, I can shift it to neutral , start it then proceed to drive or reverse. I also noticed the brake lights don't work and wondered if these are related issues. The shifter thing I can live with, but the brake lights need to work. Brake light fuse is good and just bought a new brake pedal switch but haven't installed it yet, hoping this will solve the problem but any other input would be appreciated.

 

[liljoe07]

Youre on the right track if the fuses are good. You could check the old switch with a volt meter if you have one already.

 

[TOOLOW91]

Brake light switch if i had to guess powers the shifter lock so if it is no good there will be no power going to the lock.

 

[MFE92]

You've probably knocked the brake light switch out of its holder above the brake pedal arm. To get the car out of park in the meantime, there's a shifter lockout override, I think in this case it's past a little notch in the bottom edge of the console where it meets the trans tunnel. Stick a screwdriver in there and push backward (or forward, I can't remember) and that triggers the override and lets you get it out of park.

 

[92LX50]

Thanks guys. Just want to follow up in case anyone else searches this problem. It was the brake light switch causing the shifter to stay locked. I hadn't noticed the brake lights not working since I don't drive much. So I guess if your automatic is stuck in park, check your brake lights first