My 91 Town car will not shift from park after engine is started. I have to
manualy over ride the system as explained in the owners manual by turning
off the engine, then set the parking brake, then turn the ignition key to
the first notch, then pull gear shift lever to neutral, then start the
engine after which I can then pull the gear shift lever into drive.
>My 91 Town car will not shift from park after engine is started. I have to
>manualy over ride the system as explained in the owners manual by turning
>off the engine, then set the parking brake, then turn the ignition key to
>the first notch, then pull gear shift lever to neutral, then start the
>engine after which I can then pull the gear shift lever into drive.
Your brake light switch is bad. Should set you back about
$20USD in the aftermarket like Advance, Autozone, Pep, etc.
Ford dealer should be about the same. I have no idea what
labor may be. Takes only a couple of minutes to change.
BTW, you probably have no brake lights which presents a very
high risk of being rear ended until you get this fixed. Do
it today!!.
Mortimer Schnerd, RN - 23 Mar 2005 17:21 GMT
>> My 91 Town car will not shift from park after engine is started. I have to
>> manualy over ride the system as explained in the owners manual by turning
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> BTW, you probably have no brake lights which presents a very
> high risk of being rear ended until you get this fixed. Do it today!!.
He is correct. Either the brake light switch or the connector to the brake
light switch. They're mounted where the brake pedal is hinged inside the cabin.
Not only are you missing brake lights, your cruise control is probably out as
well. He's absolutely right... fix this today. You shouldn't be riding around
without brake lights... not to mention the PITA you're having getting the car in
gear.

Signature
Mortimer Schnerd, RN
mortschnerd@carolina.rr.com.REMOVE
Jim Warman - 23 Mar 2005 20:47 GMT
Don't forget to check the fuse first...
marvin@mars.com - 24 Mar 2005 00:23 GMT
>Don't forget to check the fuse first...
lmfao
its the boo switch
i guarentee it
hurc ast
trainfan1 - 24 Mar 2005 00:53 GMT
> Not only are you missing brake lights, your cruise control is probably out as
> well.
Cruise control will not be affected by a non-working BOO switch if the
only problem is that the shift interlock & brake lights are not working.
Rob
Bob - 24 Mar 2005 01:21 GMT
>> Not only are you missing brake lights, your cruise control is probably
>> out as well.
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> Rob
Sure it well, the cruise won't disengage when the brakes are tapped.
Bob
trainfan1 - 24 Mar 2005 03:07 GMT
> "trainfan1" <lmsearing@usdatanet.net> wrote in message
>>Cruise control will not be affected by a non-working BOO switch if the
>>only problem is that the shift interlock & brake lights are not working.
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> Sure it well, the cruise won't disengage when the brakes are tapped.
> Bob
Yes it will... through the dump valve (if so equipped... is it?),
otherwise you're right, tap off won't work. It will engage, though.
Rob
protrack - 07 Oct 2005 19:07 GMT
I found out that the boo switch will show conductivity when tested but
stops conducting when real current is applied. This threw me off when I
was testing the circuit.
Backyard Mechanic - 08 Oct 2005 13:03 GMT
> I found out that the boo switch will show conductivity when tested but
> stops conducting when real current is applied. This threw me off when I
> was testing the circuit.
Another point for the argument against "ohming out" automotive circuits...
although it probably would have shown relatively high resistance; maybe 5-
30 ohms.
using test light or volts scale would have nailed it.