brake lights dont work when pedal is pressed

[stealth_s13]

ok..i have a 1989 240sx coupe and thus far its a great car but the issue im having is that i noticed i had a brake light out the other day and the third brake light was still on even when the pedel was let off so i immediatly started checking the bulbs and found that the passenger side bulbs and sockets were melted and looked like it had happened over time. i started fiddling with it and making sure there were no "bridging" of the socket contacts and i replaced every bulb in every socket and all the bulbs come on when the lights are turned on and reverse lights work and so do the turn signals when operated but when i hit the brakes the lights dont get brighter like they are supposed to both when lights are on or off so for 7 dollars at the parts store i got and installed a new stoplight switch....still no working...before anyone jumps and says there is a blown fuse...there isnt...been there...thats why i am here....has anyone had the same problem and how do i go about fixing this...i am carefully driving this car to and from work and i am nervous about getting a ticket...someone save me from having to get the razorblade and test light out and tell me its something simple and stupid and what i need to do...i am a gm muscle car guy and i have taken a liking to these little 240's...im stumped and at my wits end...help a guy out

[IanS]

If the bulb sockets were melted, there is most likely a short somewhere, I hate to be the bringer of bad news, but its probably time to get your test light and go have some fun.

[Slappy]

Check the connectors on your transmission. They might have come loose. I had this problem with my reverse lights not coming on , and some how a wire got cut to one of the connectors. Lemme know if you need a pic.

[RCG_Savage]

I think it's this one part that goes out or falls out over time causing your lights to stay on 24/7. It's connected to the actual pedal assembly. Ugh I can't even think of the part number or where it's located some one help me think of what it is.

[stealth_s13]

i just replaced the stoplight switch and i "un-shorted" the sockets where the bulbs go...all the lights work when the lights are on and to my knowledge if there is a short it would immediatly pop a fuse...the thing i wanna know is is there like a seperate relay that controls the lights when the pedel is pressed...im gonna check the transmission wire connections anyways because my spedo will work and not work intermittently...if that ends up being why the brakelights arnt working im gonna hit myself in the head with a hammer..then go after the guy who designed a brakelight system that connects to the transmission