Pressing brake starts truck with no key in the ignition and truck is in park?!?!?

What is going on. My truck tries to start when I press my break with no key in the ignition and the truck is in park?!?! What in the world could be causing this?!?! Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thx.

 

Sounds like you have a remote start that is wired incorrectly or has a short. Usually you push the brake to turn it off after a remote start. Maybe something is backwards. Otherwise I wouldn’t see any reason pushing the brake would start the truck.

 

2011 tundra. No remote start in the truck. Yeah makes no sense. I assume that there is an exposed wire in the break electrical line or short happening somewhere I guess.

 

Is the ignition in the start position even though key might not be in it?

 

Nope. Key is in off / locked position. No key in tumbler. Truck is in park. Break gets pressed and it engages the starter. Truck acts like it is trying to start.

 

I will try to upload a video that this forum accepts. iPhone video can’t be directly uploaded.

 

Interesting. My 2012 has factory alarm and fob. Also came with separate fob for aftermarket remote start and alarm. I can open the door and the engine still runs. If I press on brake it turns off the truck. But if key is in and in the on position then it will stay running. But what would the brake have to do with starting?

 

It’s faulty wiring for sure somewhere. Mice? A short or something. It’s triggering the starter. Same as if I was turning the key. It’s doing the same thing. Truck engine doesn’t actually start because there is no gas being injected when I press the break. Thank god!!!

 

Do you have any other electrical mods? Water in the fuse box? I wouldn’t think the brake/lights/anything else on that circuit would be on the same circuit as the starter. What about one of those GPS trackers that dealerships install?

 

No electrical mods. Truck worked fine last night. I’ve searched the internet and this issue has popped up on a few Ford F150s and a Polaris ATV over the last 15 years so there is something that is universal that is happening, I just don’t know what. Obviously it’s rare. I have a video I’ll upload.

 

I would assume something has been exposed either behind the panel under the steering wheel, or under the center console, or from the starter relay to the cab, or brake pedal. As the circuit from the gear selector sends current to the starter when brake is pressed and key is inserted and turned. I would start with a 2nd set of hands, and have them step on the brake and hear for the switch to engage. Other place you may start looking at is the gear selector wiring and check for corrossion on the Neutral Safety switch as it grounds out and sends a signal to engage the starter relay to the starter... If I understand it correctly..

I'm doing an auto to manual swap and this is something that must be done to start a car with a clutch. Jumping the bypass switch so it activates tje starter.. Hope this helps.

 

Have you looked under the dash? Did someone try and steal it? Maybe started hacking on wires and left it broke?

The mice theory 'breaking' it, is the next best guess as to why pressing the brake pedal engages the starter.

GL

 

What was the outcome on this issue? I'm experiencing the exact same thing with my 2004 Tundra.

 

Here is my outcome for a similar issue:

Got the truck back and below I cut and pasted issues found by the mechanic.

Verified engine won’t start. Many intermittent concerns. Engine cranks when the brake pedal is applied. Even with no key in the ignition. Multiple relays and modules are clicking. Interior light is flashing. Dash lights are lighting up abnormally. No exterior lights. Removed aftermarket remote starter system. Still has starting issue. Ignition switch is abnormal. Disconnected ECM and checked all starting related wires. Tested ok. Reconnected ECM. Vehicle started ran normal. Scanned for codes. OBD two connector melted then vehicle went back to original symptoms. Suspect, body control module, junction block on driver's side, or ECM. Further diagnostics is needed. Checked ECM grounds. Tested good. Found a bad ground on firewall going to the engine, replaced harness. All systems operate as normal. Recommend replacing OBD two connector. We can reinstall remote starter, if supplied with the proper schematics.

 

Spooky...