Brake Lights on Ignition Switch - pro/con | FerrariChat
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Brake Lights on Ignition Switch - pro/con

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by Paul_308, May 3, 2007.

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  1. Paul_308

    Paul_308 Formula 3

    Mar 12, 2004
    2,345
    #1 Paul_308, May 3, 2007
    Does anyone know a advantageous scenario requiring the engine to be running for the brake lights to function properly? ??Like making out and accidently hitting the brake pedal awaking her parents...or ??

    The buckets, parking and headlights all work without the key in the ignition but the (read my 308) must be in 'run' ignition switch position for the brake lights to work. Seems to me there should be some operational consistancy unless I'm missing something. If anything should require being on the key switch I'd think the buckets should just to keep idle fingers from running down a battery.

    If I had an engine problem like ?fire? or ?bank?, killed the engine and was coasting from the fast lane to the shoulder I'd sure like the brake lights to function.
     
  2. OC Speed Junkie

    OC Speed Junkie Formula 3

    Aug 6, 2005
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    Joseph
    #2 OC Speed Junkie, May 3, 2007
    Thats weird. They work without the key on in every car I have ever owned. I would guess it is a wiring mistake on your car.
     
  3. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 29, 2001
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    #3 f355spider, May 3, 2007
    Paul, why worry or "over think" it? But to answer your scenario...the ignition will be "on" if the engine dies, or you will not be able to steer.
     
  4. Paul_308

    Paul_308 Formula 3

    Mar 12, 2004
    2,345
    #4 Paul_308, May 3, 2007
    Overthink and triple checking comes natural to many of us. In this case of my red pride, I especially refuse to change factory wiring without a dang good reason.

    Nope...the ignition will be off if I turn the key off which I will have have done on several cars when the engine is in danger. Plus I've yet to see a 308 which steers differently with the engine running or not. Ders no p/s, ya c?

    Thanks for stopping by but I'd like some serious thinking here before undertaking a wiring alteration.
     
  5. No Doubt

    No Doubt Seven Time F1 World Champ

    May 21, 2005
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    Mr. Sideways
    #5 No Doubt, May 3, 2007
    Dave's correct. It's your steering column anti-theft lock that will get you if you turn your ignition key to OFF. Has nothing to do with manual or power steering.

    Btw, my 348 has to have the ignition ON for the brake light to illuminate. It's not a wiring error.
     
  6. Mike328

    Mike328 F1 Rookie

    Oct 19, 2002
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    #6 Mike328, May 3, 2007
    Dave Handa gives you a response and you ask for "serious thinking"?

    This was the problem in your other threads. Your attitude is marginal. You're asking for free help, remember? Try to be a little grateful. If you want to follow up with a thread to say "thank you," that would be appropriate, too, though apparently not your MO.
     
  7. Darolls

    Darolls F1 Veteran
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    #7 Darolls, May 3, 2007
    Aw Sheesh, here we go! :rolleyes:
     
  8. betelgeuse

    betelgeuse Karting

    Mar 13, 2007
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    Hanover, NH
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    Greg Loupis
    #8 betelgeuse, May 3, 2007
    As far as I know none of the european cars brake lights work with the ignition off. I own 2 BMWs an Audi and a Ferrari 328 and none of them work with the ignition off ( I just checked ).
     
  9. Paul_308

    Paul_308 Formula 3

    Mar 12, 2004
    2,345
    #9 Paul_308, May 3, 2007
    Hard to believe you guys have never driven a Ferrari. Turning the ignition key from Run to Acc simple kills the ignition AND the brake lights and has NOTHING to do with locking the steering. Jeez
     
  10. Paul_308

    Paul_308 Formula 3

    Mar 12, 2004
    2,345
    #10 Paul_308, May 3, 2007
    Thank you much star-guy for that useful, considered and authoritative answer.
     
  11. fatbillybob

    fatbillybob Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Aug 10, 2002
    29,175
    socal
    #11 fatbillybob, May 3, 2007
    When I gutted my oem wiring in my 348 racecar including removing the keyed ignition switch for a switch and a start button I kept the brake light on power switch function because in an electrical fire or fuel fire you want to kill every electrical device you can kill with one switch on your way out the car. I do not know the reason on a streetcar.
     
  12. betelgeuse

    betelgeuse Karting

    Mar 13, 2007
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    Greg Loupis
    #12 betelgeuse, May 4, 2007
    Paul 308. Ever hear of emergency flashers?
     
  13. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
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    #13 f355spider, May 4, 2007
    This brake light thing is meaningless, and pointless. Go drive and enjoy your car...don't waste your time with "what ifs"...it's pointless.

    But if you are worried about "killing the engine" in some wild scenario you have cooking up...just shut her down, then click it back to "on" and you have brake lights again (and you have to, or your steering is locked, that was my point in my previous post)
     
  14. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
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    #14 f355spider, May 4, 2007
    My point is your steering will lock if you shut off the ignition, so you must turn it back on, which means your brake lights are operational. Your overthinking may come natural to YOU....but it certainly baffles the rest of us. ;)
     
  15. Mike328

    Mike328 F1 Rookie

    Oct 19, 2002
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    #15 Mike328, May 4, 2007
    Wow. You're showing your true colors now. It seems you think the world owes you the answers to your various queries.

    Trust me, I know the answer to every question you could possibly muster about your hot shot 308. However, I respectfully elect to no longer assist you. Good day.
     

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