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Re: brake lights stay on when headlights are on[200/1987] posted by Dave Stevens on
Sunday, 30 August 1998, at 5:30 p.m.
That is about the most bizarre set of lighting problem symptoms I've pretty much ever heard. Grounding?... Wiring harness?... Maybe you were right the first time: Gremlins!
Actually, I think Abe's initial thoughts were more correct (is he ever wrong?). Based on the scope of your symptoms and looking at the newer 240 wiring diagrams, it looks like the bulb integrity sensor is the only component that involves all these circuits and gets its own separate power when the engine is running. I didn't realize the 3rd brake light went through that gizmo, but it does (BTW page 312 in the Haynes #270 manual doesn't indicate that component #19 is the 3rd brake light).
You'll find it sitting on the end of a massive wire cluster up under the dash to the left of the steering column. Take it out and inspect the connector and pins for any shorts or corrosion. Try temporarily swapping the sensor with a known good one from an '86 or later 240 unless you can find a parts counter willing to let you try a new one. They're not all that cheap so you don't want to replace it just on a whim and a salvaged one should be plenty good. Keep us informed on how you make out.