Taillights won't go off when car not running. 1987

Probably not your tail lights but your brake lights. What commonly happens is that the switch either goes bad and sticks closed or it gets knocked out of position.

The switch should be mounted under the dash up around the steering column where it can contact the brake pedal arm. When not applying the brakes the switch has a piston-like piece that rides against the steel arm going up from the brake pedal. In this depressed position the brake lights are off. When you press the brake pedal the piston extends and the brake lights come on.

The switch is typically about 2-3" long and 1-1/2" height and width with one or two wires attached to it. It will be attached to normally an unpainted metal plate bent at 90 degrees and mounted where the switch will be directly in front (towards the firewall) of the brake pedal arm. If its been knocked out of position you'll need to get it remounted and positioned where the piston is depressed with the brake pedal in its normal position and the piston comes free of the brake arm when the pedal is depressed. It's a two person job. Ti check to see if the switch works just press the plunger in and the lights should go off. If not replace the switch.

Good Luck!