[86'944] Mysterious Wire (pics)

[exitwound]

I was inside my car today cleaning it out, vacuuming, and whatnot before the rain, and I noticed a wire that wasn't connected just beneath the emergency brake. My seat is non-functional at this point (will be replaced soon). Is it related to the seat? Is it part of the e-brake system? Is it an aftermarket underglow toggle switch the previous moron/owner installed? Perhaps a dash light for when the brake is on?

[Tidybuoy]

That wire plugs into a small switch just below the brake handle and activates the dash brake light when the emergency brake is on. It's the same type of switch as the door switch that turns on the inside light.

Vern

[exitwound]

You are correct! There was a hidden post for that wire to connect to. When connected, the light is functional. However, the button is bent, it looks like, and I cannot get my fingers down there to fix it until the seat comes out. I think the button may have to be replaced.

Thanks for the fast answer!

[exitwound]

Apparently when attached, the car is finnicky about starting. It doesn't even crank the starter sometimes. I believe (due to the damaged button hopefully) that it thinks the ebrake is off when really it is engaged (even though the light is on on the dash) and refuses to start the car. Could this be possible? With the wire disconnected completely, the car starts.

[ilikemy944]

The only thing that switch does is activate the light - it wouldn't keep your car from starting...

[exitwound]

Hmmm. Sure? There's no stop which looks for the ebrake to be enabled before starting? If not, then i have another issue on my hands!

[Eldorado]

nope, no switch there. just the light switch.

[TibetanT]

Yeap, it is just a switch that is ON or OFF. Should be BR/GE brown/yellow wire running back to Plug A, post 8, on the Instrument Cluster. Has nothing to do with the car not starting.

[exitwound]

Well that wasn't the answer I was looking for In that case, what ARE some stops that would tell the car not to attempt to turn the starter? All the instrument gauges lit up and read fine, but the starter didn't engage, just like my VW with the seat belt stop.

[944 boy]

I don't know of any other ignition kills other than the alarm. Maybe you should try wacking the starter with a hammer, worked for me. :-)

[exitwound]

Well, a stuck solonoid *would* be fixed with a hammer hit. buuuut I don't think that's the issue. One thing I haven't looked into is the default alarm. I don't even know if the car has one. I'll have to do some digging.

[legoland951]

Your finicky starter could be a selenoid. I have a 944 that does that and whenever it does not start, I have to get on my back by the driver side door and use a screwdriver to jump across the battery main cable post (on the selenoid) to the starter motor power post (on the selenoid) effectively bypassing the selenoid and the ignition switch. You have to be careful if you have to do this when your starter dies on the side of the road. Being on your back sticking out into the slow lane could mean a quick death if there is a car coming. Also, make sure your car is OUT OF GEAR (having a car run over your shoulder while you are laying on the ground could ruin your day) and the ignition is on or the car will just crank and not start.

[TibetanT]

If your car has an alarm, it will be sitting right on top of the ECU (computer brain) under the floor board (foot board) on the passenger side. In other words, under the glove box side and near the fire wall.
The alarm module is about 2.5inches by 4inches and has a separate set of wiring harness going to it. Two sets of wiring, one being a eight-pin plug and the other a two-pin plug.

The good news is, there is a alarm by-pass procedure posted at
http://www.clarks-garage.com/shop-manual/elect-23.htm

Also, if the car has an alarm key hole, it will be just to the rear side of the car near the driver's door handle key hole, mounted on the body.