is there an electrical-system wizard who knows whether a brake
pedal, if depressed when starting the engine, could create a temporary
short that would keep the starting motor from turning over? for example,
do the brake lights, which light-up when the brake pedal is depressed,
share any circuitry with the starting motor? art, '97 960 wagon.

p.s. we've had a starter gremlin driving us bats for about two years. it
strikes only periodically -- the starter suddenly won't turn over tho
battery is new -- then w-i-l-l turn-over and fire up like gangbusters
within a few minutes, or a few hours or maybe a day later. two
mechanics, including one with big-time diagnostic equipment, have been
unable to smoke this one out.