[Vwdiesel] lighting tricks

[Kneale Brownson]

Diagnosing tail/brake light anomolies on 1995 Jetta TD, I removed the hazard relay because I had no flashers and found it had a burn mark and broken fuse-like fixture inside (see   http://www.pbase.com/kneale_brownson/image/114266195  ).   I have a $6 replacement  (as opposed to the $30 one at the dealer) on the way, but that'll take another week.
 
With the relay out, I have the following:
 
Key off, brake pedal depressed, Yellow lights in the front bumper and at the rear light up, along with the tail lights.
 
Key on and brake pedal depressed, I have same yellow lights, along with the yellow side markers at the front, but the tail lights go out.
 
Key on,  brake pedal released, yellow lites in rear go off, tail lights are on and both the sets of yellows in the front  (bumper and side marker) are lighted.
 
Does the burn on the flasher in the pix linked above indicate I probably have some wires burned/crossed behind the relay tray?