jaaa

My daughter called and said her 1991 ls400 wouldn't get out of park and the override switch didn't work. I got there and managed to get her out of park(she wasn't pushing the switch at the same time she pulled the handle). Her brake lights were out when I got there, so suggested we go home and I would give her another car. On the way home the brake lights started to work, but were out again by the time she parked. Is there a common problem? I'm guessing the brake switch, but it's cold as hell out here this AM, and I'd be willing to shotgun easy parts rather than freeze troubleshooting. Any help would be appreciated.

Losiracer2

on my honda accord and likely these LS400s, there's a plastic stopper in the brake pedal that opens a switch when the brake pedal is depressed allowing the lights to turn on.but I don't know if the lights are out what may cause that. Possibly a fuse in a control box in the rear tail lights?

jaaa

It's intermittent so I don't think it's a fuse.

jaaa

Turned out to be the brake switch. I tried to get one from the local AZ's and of course they had the wrong pinout on the connector of the switch. Ohmed out the old switch and get readings in the 2 to 5 ohm range when closed. Took the switch apart and cleaned off all the old contacts as best I could. Reinstalled and the car is working perfect. Took the new switch back and was told by the parts counter guy they changed switches out midyear. From my research it looks like a JA432 will work. Here is the link for anyone else who has trouble with an early LS400:
http://www.ebay.com/p/brake-light-sw...ja432/78884621

dicer

Wow I was taking a BREAK , when I saw this post about the BRAKEs. It is funny how these old LS switches get some contact crustys or something and then don't work. I've done the clean thing on the driver door lock switch and it works good now.

jaaa

Yeah, I was going to go back and edit that, but ya can't do the title. I'm going to order the switch anyway, but won't install it till it warms up some. I'm getting too old to work in 10 degree weather.

peterls

I just did it in the parking spot on the street the other night, and it is an eight minute job, including taking out the tools and putting them back. I timed it just for fun. You can do it with tools from the trunk. Actually, all you need is the 14mm wrench. Just make sure you pull out the brake ECU that is in the way there, and move it away. You don't have to unscrew it, just pull out the metal tab from the plastic holder for ECU.