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Originally Posted by cullennewsom
Can you imagine no other reason why every car manufactured in the last two decades has such a feature?
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As I recall, the interlock came to be because licensed adults couldn't be bothered to check that the car was in P or N before engaging the starter, nor apply the brakes when starting the engine as a matter of habit.
Whatever the incidence of knocking a shift lever out of P, it wasn't enough impetus of the DOT to take action.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cullennewsom
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You might get creative with an electric door lock solenoid that extends to corral the shift lever in P. Already MB brake lights (and the horn) don't work with the key out (why???). Hmm... unless you can fashion a ratchet mechanism, you might have to apply the brakes to get into P as well. Which leads to...
Quote:
Originally Posted by cullennewsom
I'd be satisfied to stop at retrofitting the brake interlock, and leave the steering column alone. This would make it so that he or the dogs can't kick the thing out of park inadvertently. And, so that he can't intentionally take it out of park until he's a bit older.
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You need the key switch component to ensure the shift lever is in P before removing the key. Otherwise you lock the door but leave the window open.
Your head is in the right place child proofing the car but there are other ways kids can get themselves into trouble. There are far too many reports of kids getting stuck in a hot car and being unwittingly abducted when the car is stolen to name a couple.
Sixto
87 300D