Article No.
02-17-6
09/02/02
LAMP - BRAKE - INADVERTENT DISABLING OF
BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK
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
Article 01-18-1 is being republished in its entirety to update the model year coverage and vehicle line applications.
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 connected to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), anti-lock brake computer, air bag system, or any other vehicle system, will cause vehicle malfunction.
OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: NONE
SUPERSEDES: 01-18-1
WARRANTY STATUS: INFORMATION ONLY
OASIS CODES: 203000, 203200, 205000, 301000, 503300 |
