Michael,
Obviously, 2 wires touch which should not. Could possibly be a defective brake light switch.
I don’t know, but I assume the original switch is installed in your car. It is difficult to get at. It's only accessible from below the car. It sits above the brake pedal arm and is attached to the body by 2 nuts inside the foot well. The cover can be removed by loosening the nut. There are 2 screw terminals inside from where the contact plates lead underneath a contact bar which is pressed onto the contacts by depressing the brake pedal. The switch only works when the cover is installed.
It did happen to me during a Sliding Pillar Rally, that my brake lights were on all the time. With difficulty, I was able to open the switch and found that the 2 contacts were joining as they have become loose at the terminals. I was able to separate the contacts and the day was saved. I don’t remember how the terminals are attached to the body of the switch, but there must be insulating material involved to prevent shorts.
Karl
