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HELP HELP, A new problem has occured

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Old 05-01-2002, 07:14 PM
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Were you trying to fix that burned out brake lite? Fess up now!
Old 05-01-2002, 07:21 PM
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Default there could be 2 switches on the brake pedal. one for lights, one for interlock.

i think this changed w/ model year - i have 2, but they might have gone to 1 later. on mine 1 is for lights, 1 is for shift lock.

certainly check fuses & whatever switches are on the brake pedal. the Tip ECU (TCM) is connected to both the switch and the shift lever lock itself, i'm not sure which fuses to check but there might be more than 1 that could cause the system to breakdown.

when you were changing brake lights, could you have blown a fuse someplace in there?
Old 05-01-2002, 07:28 PM
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Default Sounds like a blown fuse or brake light switch. I wouldn't bother with pulling the battery cable.

The brake lights should always work, right? You sit in your car, hit the brake pedal and you have no lights, correct?
Old 05-01-2002, 07:44 PM
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Default Not necessarily. My 540's brake lights don't work unless the key is turned on.....

In other words, the brake light switch **may** need the ECU to be turned on first in order to work. If the ECU is screwed somehow, so are your brake lights.
Old 05-01-2002, 07:55 PM
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Default Correct, no lights but also no ability to change gear from park...

...its as though the car does not recognize I am pressing on the brake at all.
Old 05-01-2002, 07:59 PM
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Default It was flickering and I was poking at it, yes. Trying to get it to stay lit or off. Still....

....I dont understand how this would make the car stay stuck in park?
Old 05-01-2002, 08:04 PM
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Default ahhh... so have you checked the brake fuse yet? if the circuit to the brake light

is dead, then no electricity for signal to the TCM so it won't unlock the shift lock.

BTW, this is ALL an annoying fail-safe fallout from "unintended acceleration" to keep us from driving through our garage doors.
Old 05-01-2002, 08:11 PM
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Default I will start with your suggestion and check the fuses...

..Then I will try Chucks suggestions. Whatever would I do without all of you? Any more suggestions are still well welcome. I'm going to try everything in the morning and if nothing works, will then call the dealer to advise. I do appreciate all the suggestions and will keep eveyone informed. Thanks again.
Old 05-01-2002, 09:02 PM
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Default Here's a Tech Article on the brake switch

Check the fuses first of course but this article describes the brake switch that activates the brake light and signals the ECU. If you weren't messing with it, it is unlikely that this is the problem but it's worth looking at if all the other suggestions don't pan out.<ul><li><a href="https://www.audiworld.com/tech/elec54.shtml">https://www.audiworld.com/tech/elec54.shtml</a</li></ul>
Old 05-01-2002, 09:03 PM
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Default On my old beater , which I just checked, brake lights work w/o a key in ignition. Get a guy with a

C5 body style to double check this for you. I have a 1997 C4.

I've never seen a car with non-functioning brake lights without a key in the ignition. How are you going to signal an SOS when the aliens come?

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