Ignition Switch Lock

PARK/NEUTRAL POSITION SWITCH
To avoid any chance of the gear selector inadvertently moving from the P position on the gear selector, cars in certain markets are also fitted with an electrically operated interlock function (park/neutral position lock). This locks the interlock pin (1) in the gear selector lever in the quadrant, thus locking the selector lever in the Park position. See image A.

Before it is possible to move the gear shift from the P (Park) position to any other gear position, the ignition must be turned on and the brake pedal depressed. (The stop (brake) light is actuated.)

When the ignition is switched on and the brake pedal is pressed at the same time, a solenoid (2) is activated in the gear selector mounting. The solenoid lock pin (3) is pressed in and you can then press down the dock button on the selector in the normal way to select another gear. See image B.





IGNITION SWITCH LOCK
In addition to this, there is a further interlock and safety function in certain markets - USA and Canada - (key interlock), which is mechanically connected to the ignition lock by means of a Bowden cable. The ignition switch interlock is controlled by the position of the lock cylinder (4) in the ignition switch, and the gear selector position.

This means that the gear selector has to be in the Park position in order to remove the ignition key from the ignition. This also means that the ignition key must be turned to positions I or II to allow the gear selector to be shifted from the Park position. The ignition switch lock function is only available in combination with the shift lock. See images A and B.





SHIFT LOCK OVERRIDE
To allow the gear selector to be moved from the Park position when there is no battery voltage, or if there is a fault in the shift-lock mechanism, it is possible to disconnect the interlock mechanism mechanically. This mechanical disconnect consists of a button (5) on the gear selector mounting, marked SHIFT-LOCK OVERRIDE. When this button is pressed, the solenoid lock pin (3) is released and the gear selector can be moved from the Park position. See image C. Note: on cars with ignition switch interlock, the ignition key must first be turned to position I or II.

For as long as the fault persists, the mechanical disconnect must be used together with the ignition key every time the gear selector is moved from the Park position.

There is a microswitch (6) in the electrical circuit between the stop (brake) light switch and the solenoid. The micro-switch only closes the circuit in the Park position, so that the solenoid is not activated every time the driver presses the brake pedal when driving.