Inadvertent Disabling Of Brake Shift Interlock (99-13-9)

Publication date: 2002-09-02
Reference number: 99-13-9
Supersedes refnos: 01-18-1, 02-17-6

INADVERTENT DISABLING OF BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN

Reference Number(s): 02-17-6, Date of Issue: September 2, 2002

FORD:	1992-1993 Festiva; 1992-1994 Tempo; 1992-1997 Thunderbird; 1992-2003 Crown Victoria, Escort, Mustang, Taurus; 1993-1997 Probe; 1994-1997 Aspire; 1995-2000 Contour; 2002-2003 Thunderbird; 1992-1997 Aerostar; 1992-2003 E Series; 1993-1997 F Super Duty; 1994-1996 Bronco; 1994-1997 F-250, F-350; 1994-2003 F-150; 1995-2003 Explorer, Ranger, Windstar; 1997-2003 Expedition; 1998-1999 F-250 LD; 1999-2003 Super Duty F Series; 2000-2003 Excursion, Explorer Sport; 2001-2003 Escape, Explorer Sport Trac
LINCOLN:	1992-2003 Continental, Town Car; 1993-1998 Mark VIII; 2000-2003 LS; 1998-2003 Navigator
MERCURY:	1992-1994 Topaz; 1992-1997 Cougar; 1992-1999 Tracer; 1992-2003 Sable; 1993-2003 Grand Marquis; 1994 Capri; 1995-2000 Mystique; 1999-2003 Cougar; 1993-2002 Villager; 1997-2003 Mountaineer

Superceded Bulletin(s): 01-18-1, Date of Issue: September 17, 2001

NOTE: This bulletin supersedes Technical Service Bulletin 01-18-1 dates September 17, 2001.

Article 01-18-1 is being republished in its entirety to update the model year coverage and vehicle line applications.

DESCRIPTION

LAMP - BRAKE - INADVERTENT DISABLING OF BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK

ISSUE

Corporate, municipal, or police fleets may have had their Ford Motor Company vehicle modified to flash the brake lamps whenever the "police lights" or other aftermarket lights are turned on. These added "police lights" have the potential to disable the brake shift interlock system. The brake shift interlock feature 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 when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse gears.

ACTION

As appropriate, dealers should advise owners (including corporate, municipal, and police agencies) that any vehicle that has been modified with a connection to the brake circuit, or that electrically interfaces with the brake lamps in that manner, should be disconnected IMMEDIATELY and the emergency lighting system should be modified in a manner that does not interfere with normal service 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 the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) 108 which requires that the high-mount stoplamp only illuminate when applying the brakes.

Installation of warning lights should only be performed with a completely separate electrical system, without connection to any existing vehicle wiring. Connection of aftermarket electrical equipment into the brake lamp circuit or any other circuit which is conriected to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), anti-lock brake computer, air bag system, or any other vehicle system, will cause vehicle malfunction.

WARRANTY INFORMATION

WARRANTY STATUS: Information Only.

OASIS CODES: 203000, 203200, 205000, 301000, 503300