Brake Shift Interlock - Inadvertently Disabled

Article No.
99-9-10

05/17/99

LAMP - BRAKE - INADVERTENT DISABLING OF
BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK - POLICE VEHICLES
ONLY

FORD:
1993-1999 CROWN VICTORIA

ISSUE
Police fleets may have had their 1993-1999 Crown Victorias modified to flash the brake lamps whenever the police lights are turned on, which may disable the brake shift interlock. The brake shift interlock is a feature that prevents the vehicle from being shifted from Park unless the brake pedal is depressed. Disabling of the brake shift interlock feature may enable the operator to inadvertently apply the accelerator instead of the brake pedal and simultaneously shift from Park to Drive gear.

The Police/Fleet Vehicles Owner Guide Supplement, provided with every Crown Victoria Police Interceptor specifically states that a "connection of aftermarket electrical equipment into the brake light circuit or any other circuit which is connected to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), anti-lock brake computer, air bag system or any other vehicle system will cause vehicle malfunction."

ACTION
As appropriate, dealers should advise police agencies that any vehicle that has been modified with a connection to the brake circuit (Circuit 511), or that electrically interfaces with the brake lamps in any manner, should be disconnected IMMEDIATELY and the emergency lighting system should be modified in a manner that does not interfere with normal vehicle operation or the brake shift interlock. In addition, if the high-mount stoplamp flashes when the police lights are on, the modification does not conform with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 108 which requires that the high-mount stoplamp only illuminate when applying the brakes.

Ford provides six (6) power connections as standard equipment on each Crown Victoria police vehicle for use by police agencies to power aftermarket equipment, including warning lights: light bars, package tray mounted-lights, under decklid lights, and numerous configurations of strobe lights. Usage of these power connections does not affect the brake lamp system.

OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: NONE
WARRANTY STATUS: INFORMATION ONLY
OASIS CODES: 203000, 203200, 205000, 301000, 503300