[rotorwrench]

The lockout works not only in reverse but any time the lockout cable is pulled. When driving the car in the locked out position, the solenoid and relay are still active even if they can't function so it draws current for no reason. Borg Warner used the switch to prevent this but manufacturers likely felt it was redundant since most owners don't lock out the overdrive very often. Folks in Colorado for example, would lock there overdrive out to climb and descend mountain passes so it would be a good thing to have in that case but flatlander's likely only lock out the overdrive when towing a big trailer. In either case, I prefer to have the lock out switch so it doesn't tax the 30 to 35 amp electrical system if it doesn't have to. Both of my early 1951 Mercury cars still had the lock out switch but those switches are getting harder to source these days. A person could use an on/off switch if they want to be able to control the circuit with no lock out switch. You just have to remember it's there and when to use it.