Brake Switch

MattScott

Approved Vendor
I figured this would be a good thread to start as alot of people that own a Land Rover will have this problem.


Tonight, for the second time, I ran into the infamous brake switch failure, at a mcdonalds drive through. Embarrasing, right? Luckily I found some wire and a pocket knife and I was able to fix it. Anyway, I was thinking there should be a thread for this as maybe I could get some suggestions as to completely remove the shift interlock solenoid, and the solenoid that prevents the key from being removed. I know this could happen in the middle of nowhere, and I´d like to completely bypass this.

If your vehicle suddenly wont shift out of park, heres what I can offer to this thread:

Take a piece of wire, or anything conductive, and use it to jump the two connectors on your rear heated window. Specifically the connectors on the passenger side.

Press the button for your rear headed windows.

Your vehicle should now shift out of park allowing you to get home.

Your brake lights will be on until you get this fixed.


This can be prevented by carrying a spare brake light switch, which I did not have on me, a mistake.



If anyone has a cross reference for parts numbers, that would be great to put on this when people search for the problem.
 

AxeAngel

Expedition Leader
Or you can just pop the gear selector surround and press in the gray interlock solenoid that prevents shifting out of park...

-Sam
 

Antichrist

Expedition Leader
Manual - AC Delco E892A - DISCOVERY 1994-1999; RANGE ROVER 1987-1993; RANGE ROVER COUNTY LWB 1993-1994
Automatic - Delco E897A - Discovery 1 - 1994-1999; Range Rover - 1987-1992
You can get an interchange at NAPA for $15-$20
 
Last edited:

UK4X4

Expedition Leader
The shift solenoid is easy to remove

and remember the brake switch is "self adjusting" often by just pulling the switch plunger out further, will make it function
 

fishEH

Explorer
I got stranded on a gravel boat launch last year b/c that's where my switch decide to crap out. I didn't know the rear window/wire/jumper trick then and had to have it towed. The tow truck put sliders under the wheels and dragged it onto the flatbed. It was painful to watch, lol. The my local indie rover shop soaked my about $170 for parts and labor to install a new switch. That and the new switch didn't seat properly in the socket. I have to use a cable tie to secure it.
I always carry a spare switch with me now, and instructions on how to jumper the rear window.

Here's where I got my switch from:
http://rovahfarm.com/DiscoIBrakes.htm
$22, hard to beat.
 

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