1973 240z Keeps Running until Brake Pedal is Released

[xonix_digital]

Hey all,

 

I have a weird electrical gremlin that I need some help with (well two of them actually).

 

I ran into an intermittent issue the other day where turning the key to the off position doesn't turn off the car, it kept running.

 

Now I've read a few threads about other people having this issue and people were pointing to the Alternator regulator etc. But I realized for me that the car would turn off if I released the brake pedal.

 

I'm also seeing intermittent whisps of smoke from my steering column area while driving (thinking these things might be related).

 

I took the steering column wiring apart, and I can't seem to find anything melted or discolored and looking through the wiring diagram isn't giving me any ideas.

 

Is there anything on the steering column harness (besides the e-brake light) related to brakes? Any thoughts on what could be shorting out around the column causing the smoke? 

 

Thanks in advance for any thoughts or insight.