New to me 2002 base, biggest issue is the lack of brake lights, checked the fuse and it is fine, oddest part is the 3rd light is on all the time.

quick searches show the possibility of the micro-switch on the peddle, anything else that might help explain the behavior of the 3rd light?

TIA

 

did some probing with a multi-meter - seems there is always 12V at the brake lights (all of them) reason the left and right bulbs weren't on was they where not making contact, left side the pin spring metal had broken (ordering a new one) and on the right side the track and holder had pulled away from the spring metal.

pulled the switch, it seemed to have hyper extended or something as when I pressed on it wit my hand it got shorter and made a clicking sound, again with the multi meter I checked to see if the switch did anything and it does make a connection.

tested it - here's a video
in the video I turn on the light first, then the ignition (brake light comes on) then I use the turn signal, then press the brake switch

 

disconnected the switch and turned the ignition on, brake lights stayed off, so it pretty much has to be the switch

 

Well, crap, switch didn't fix it, new switch and it has the same behavior, light on all the time and off when switch pressed

or is that the way they are supposed to work? switch is opened when the brake is pressed? OK that was it (i hadn't put the new one all the way in before checking)

switch enables the brake lights when the switch is release

 

Switch is in and works perfectly, getting the switch in was a bit harder than getting it out, trying to turn it to lock it in was hard, discovered a 19mm box wrench is perfect for that and a lot easier on the fingers