mystery wiring problem
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mystery wiring problem
WHAT IN THE WORLD WOULD CAUSE MY STARTER TO ENGAGE WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL??????
I have been having engine problems for the last couple of weeks. So i've been trying to figure out my problem. I just got into my truck to take it for a test drive. I'm cruising around my neighborhood and hit the brakes and the starter engages. Except I'm so baffled that the starter is engaged that i don't realize that it's my foot on the brake pedal thats engaging the starter. I get the truck stopped, take a peek under the hood and find no problems. Get back in the truck and press the brake pedal and the starter engages. I play with it for a few minutes and the the motor will crank when i press the brake pedal. Last night, the brake fuse blew and I replaced it without any problems. I don't know what caused it to blow, but I'm well on my way to finding out.
The only relationship between the brake lights and the starter switch is the Ignition switch on the top side of the steering column. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I have been having engine problems for the last couple of weeks. So i've been trying to figure out my problem. I just got into my truck to take it for a test drive. I'm cruising around my neighborhood and hit the brakes and the starter engages. Except I'm so baffled that the starter is engaged that i don't realize that it's my foot on the brake pedal thats engaging the starter. I get the truck stopped, take a peek under the hood and find no problems. Get back in the truck and press the brake pedal and the starter engages. I play with it for a few minutes and the the motor will crank when i press the brake pedal. Last night, the brake fuse blew and I replaced it without any problems. I don't know what caused it to blow, but I'm well on my way to finding out.
The only relationship between the brake lights and the starter switch is the Ignition switch on the top side of the steering column. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2000
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mystery wiring problem
Big4x4, that's a strange one. The only common factor I can think of is the neutral safety switch/brake pedal interlock. The brake pedal has to be pushed to get it out of park, and the NSS keeps it from starting when it's in gear. If you have a solenoid controlling the brake pedal interlock, maybe it's sticking and somehow feeding power to the starter through the switch..........???
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,182
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From: Gateway to the West
mystery wiring problem
The blown fuse would indicate a broken/damaged wire(s) or some sort of short (obviously). If you get POS. (+) backfeeding through a switch or relay due to a cut or damaged wire, the situation you described is quite possible. POS (+) through the brakelight circuit backfed through the start relay is just one possibility. loneranger has a good point in that its more than likely in the area of the NSS and the circuitry surrounding the pedal interlock. Good luck as tracking it down could be difficult. I would check any wiring that may be exposed to the under side of the truck near the NSS perhaps and/or up around the brake pedal and brakelight switch.
Friend of mine blew his brakelight fuse every time he put the clutch in on his Dakota. Took a day and a half and a box of fuses to figure out that the wiring harness running to the brakelight switch had fallen behind the upper part of the clutch pedal linkage and the movement had worn away the insulation on the POS (+) wire. Every time the pedal linkage dragged over the bare spot in the wire...POP...bye bye brakelight fuse.
But then we ARE talking about a Dodge design here.
Friend of mine blew his brakelight fuse every time he put the clutch in on his Dakota. Took a day and a half and a box of fuses to figure out that the wiring harness running to the brakelight switch had fallen behind the upper part of the clutch pedal linkage and the movement had worn away the insulation on the POS (+) wire. Every time the pedal linkage dragged over the bare spot in the wire...POP...bye bye brakelight fuse.
But then we ARE talking about a Dodge design here.
Posting Guru
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From: Independence, MO
mystery wiring problem
Hey you get in put your foot on the Brake and it cranks up!? Maybe it's developed a mind of its own! 
I think it's POSSESED! By the way i would like to know what you find wrong with it.
GOOD LUCK! DW
I think it's POSSESED! By the way i would like to know what you find wrong with it.GOOD LUCK! DW
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mystery wiring problem
I'm graduating from Texas A&M in less than one week. I think the truck knows that I'll have to decommission it from full time service. It must be possessed.
I'm gonna try replacing the ignition switch for laughs and I'll let ya know what happens.
I'm gonna try replacing the ignition switch for laughs and I'll let ya know what happens.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 7,406
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From: Wheatland, Mo
mystery wiring problem
It may be far fetched....but like mentioned above, check the linkage and the wiring around the brake pedal.....you never know what can happen with moving parts by wiring. IF that doesnt do it...CALL AN EXCORIST! And run like hell!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Round Rock, TX
mystery wiring problem
Whoop! Congrats on graduating.
On another note, I don't think that replacing the switch is going to fix your problem, but it will keep you busy for a little while. The wiring to the switch is going to be the key to your problem.
On another note, I don't think that replacing the switch is going to fix your problem, but it will keep you busy for a little while. The wiring to the switch is going to be the key to your problem.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
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mystery wiring problem
I know it's really NOT funny, but I can't help laughing my *** off. I could only imagine the look on your face when you stepped on the brake and the starter engaged! On the lighter side, I hope you can get it figured out.
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Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Loveland, CO.
mystery wiring problem
I am pretty sure that this is in some way related to the brake light activator and wiring. That's the only thing that is activated when the brake pedal is depressed. There must be a short somewhere in it. I would start by disconnecting the brake light activator and seeing if the starter still engages when you depress the pedal.
The ignition switch could be bad too, when mine went it caused several strange symptoms (although none as strange as this).
The ignition switch could be bad too, when mine went it caused several strange symptoms (although none as strange as this).
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mystery wiring problem
Well, finally got my problem fixed. The wire that activates the starter solenoid and the brake wire were chafing on a piece of metal right outside the firewall. The chafing finally ate up all of the insulation and they were shorting out. A couple of splices in the wire and I was good to go. Thanks for all the input. Looks like I might not be walking to graduation after all.
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