Principles of Operation - Automatic Parking Brake Release
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis and 2006 Ford Crown Victoria. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
The automatic parking brake release consists of the following components:
- Release actuator
- Electromechanical solenoid
- Gearshift lever position switch
- Parking brake warning indicator switch
- Wiring harnesses connecting the various components
When the parking brake is set and the transmission is shifted into REVERSE or DRIVE, the gearshift lever position switch closes. The instrument cluster module energizes the electronic parking brake release motor. Once the parking brake is released, the parking brake warning indicator switch opens and releases the actuator. The solenoid is energized only when both the parking brake warning indicator switch and the gearshift lever position switch are closed with the brake pedal applied.