D1 Brake light switch/stuck in park emergency tip

[RoverAngler]

Ok, I thought my first-ever post should be a tech tip to repay all of the good advice I've gained by lurking for awhile. I did a couple of searches, and it did not appear anywhere, but feel free to clue me in if this is a technique known to every D1 owner everywhere (I don't know if this works on a D2).

I got stuck in the parking lot of my daughter's day care with a bad brake light switch--I was stuck in park. I had no idea how to get out of this, and I don't believe D1's have any little black button to push when you pop the console off.

So I pulled out my owner's manual and started calling dealerships for ideas. It took me awhile, but one guy gave the tip that saved me from a real headache.

If this happens to you, and you're certain the brake light switch is the problem, try this:

Pull off the plug to the rear window defroster. Take a paper clip or something similar, and jump the two leads in this plug. The brake lights will now light up every time you push the rear-defrost button to the left of the steering wheel, and you can shift out of park and drive the vehicle normally (if "normal" for you is to have a manually-actuated brake light switch).

Now, when you're driving, the brake lights will not work with the brake pedal (since the switch is broken). I was able to coordinate myself well enough to push the defrost button every time I stepped on the brakes, and I had no trouble. I only used this technique long enough to get me to work and the local dealership--I was a little freaked out by the whole thing. But the alternative was to leave the car parked for the day, and I needed to get to work.

If you find yourself in this situation, give this method a shot. Just be careful, and when you get to the dealership, buy two switches. They're a cinch to install--I did mine in the LR parking lot.

Good luck to you all,
Milan
'98 Disco 1 LSE