"new" brake lights stay on problem - not rubber bushing...

[onosqv]

Ok, I was helping out a friend yesterday with something else (car was out of commission for a couple months).

Basically, once we got the car running, the brake lights remain on no matter what. I figured this would be the rubber bushing problem, however I took the switch that gets pushed in/out by the brake pedal out and pressed the plastic button in and out by hand - still stayed on.

I disconnect the plug to the switch, still stayed on.

If I take the stop light fuse out - it will turn off - but obviously off forever.

I'm perplexed... every thread that I found that talks about brake lights always on had to do w/ the rubber bushing - from what I've tested, it can't be since I pused it in and out by hand correct?

If it matters - car is 89 240sx manual

[onosqv]

Thinking: To turn the switch "off", does the plastic thing have to go in beyond flush w/ the bolt? If so, how far?