There is a short circuit somewhere in the system dealing with activating the brake lights. It could be any number of things:
- The bulbs on that circuit may have corroded and the contacts have melted such that they touch creating a short.
- Sometimes the filaments in a dual filament bulb short together.
- It could be a wiring issue
So your first step would be to remove the brake light bulbs; inspect them for corrosion, bad filaments, dirt in the socket...etc. Depending on your vehicle's age ... if it is an older car, I would just go ahead and replace both rear bulbs ... and take a look at the middle "third" brake light also.
If the bulbs are not the issue it could be the switch that is activated when you push your foot on the brake.
Since the brake needs to be depressed on most newer cars to start the engine ... you might also be having problems starting or changing gears out of park ... since the switch is usually connected to the car's onboard computer and it is looking for a depressed brake pedal signal.
Good luck on your troubleshooting.
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