In article <1166204121.139227.324170@16g2000cwy.googlegroups. com>,
"Paul" <pstuart03@hotmail.com> wrote:

> The brake switch underneath the brake pedal is probably disconnected or
> broken. Your foot may have kicked the switch behind the brake pedal by
> accident, and over time, the switch becomes loose and eventually
> becomes disconnected.
>
> The shifter locks as a precaution, because if the brake switch becomes
> disconnected, NONE of your brake lights will work when you step on the
> brake pedal.

Close, but no cigar.

There are TWO switches: brake lights, and shift interlock.

The shift interlock came about as a result of the Audi "unintended
acceleration" debacle whereby stupid Americans (who can vote! and be on
juries!) were buying into this idea that cars can just suddenly LEAP
forward without the driver doing anything. One way the automakers try
to work around this is to force the driver to have his foot on the brake
before moving the transmission lever out of park. This ensures that the
driver is engaged in the process, and is doing so in a way such that the
car CANNOT move, period. (No car can overcome its brakes like that, so
the chances of the car "running away" are about zero.)