What's the paperclip trick?!?!

Still waiting on the part...and having trouble finding the brake pedal switch. Any tips on where it is (first time doing this job).

 

Had the 'stuck in park' on my Disco a few weeks ago. The brake light switch is mounted up pretty high on the brake pedal stop. It will have 2 or 4 wires sticking out the back of it.(mine had 4) There is a second switch below that one for the cruise, which has a rubber hose on it. Leave that one alone.

The actual switch itself is the same as what Audi uses on most of their cars. You can use a paper clip and jumper out the switch, makes your brake lights stay on but allows you to get the truck out of park. I found that with the switch removed, but still plugged in, I could mess with it and get it out of park to get it home.

The auto parts store didn't have a switch but it listed a 2 wire version for my truck. it said the 4 wire switch was for a manual trans , mine is an automatic. Take a look at what you got before they order the wrong one. Price was $19.95

 

Is it above the rubber boot?

 

James, easiest way to find the brake light switch is to grab the brake pedal and follow up the metal arm till you find the two plungers touching it. To actually see the switch you may have to lay on your back with your head facing up, of course remove the black shroud around the pedal area.
Here's what it looks like.
http://search.cartserver.com/search/...05794&go=GO%21

Paperclip trick:
The rear cargo door has two metal clips on the glass.
One is for the third brake light, the other for the rear defrost.
Take a paperclip and jumper these two together.
Start truck, press rear defrost, shift out of park, press rear defrost again to turn off.

 

LOL no way! Mine did the same thing this week (no shift outta park) I knew of the problem and was able to figure out to jump it with a paperclip... Then I read this thread and see everyone else doing the same thing, how perfect.

Got a replacement for $9.95 shipped on ebay: New Brake Light Switch Lamp 525 535 540 735 750 850 5 Series 325 3 318 530 | eBay

 

Awesome! I think you answered my question - the black shroud was in the way and I found it. I'll replace it tonight after work in the frigid temps!

As always, this board comes through!

 

That's the one, thanks to this forum. Taking a chance it will fit in my 97 and from what I can tell it will. I've already removed the original and plan on taking pictures of the install. The leaking pump was one of the reasons I got it for the price I did last year, and just now getting to it.

Glad I removed the headliner the other day, found holes in my sunroof drainage tubes today, which explains the damp spots when it rains.

Both of my sunroofs stopped working at the same time. I hear a clicking from the ECU when I try both. Seems strange that both motors would malfunction at the same time. Any suggestions?

 

Follow up on my brake light switch (BLS)...

Needing a BLS for my '96 automatic, I ordered one from Napa - received this one:

NAPA AUTO PARTS

However the one I needed was actually this:

NAPA AUTO PARTS


Since Napa closes at 5pm I headed over to Advanced and picked up the correct version. I'm guessing that whoever built the database behind Napa|Advanced|Autozone|etc. has these parts switched (manual vs auto).

 

Good read here too.
S10 Psp - DiscoWeb Message Boards

 

Thanks for the additional info. Didn't know that some people weren't getting enough pressure out of them. powersteering - Hope i don't have to do this, but if I find it necessary I will