Help needed ... 86 5k electrical

[vrona@ix.netcom.com (Steven Verona)]

Hi everyone,

I think I have mentioned that my fiance bought an 86 5000s automatic 
afew months ago (I influenced the decision).  The car has been running 
great with 170,000 miles on it.  Now we have a problem and I need your 
help.

I hink these things are all interelated as they seemed to happen at 
about the same time.

1.  Brake lights don't work.
2.  Shift release won't work (when you push the brake to get out of 
park).
3.  Battery has been dying.
4.  Light in drivers footwell stays on all the time.

Before everything went crazy, the brake light warning display came on.  
Now here is the really weird part: When I turn on the headlights the 
shift release dissengages and allows me to take it out of park without 
pressing the brakes.  I hear the "click" as soon as I move the light 
switch to the parking light position.

I do not think that any fuses have blown ... I checked most of them.  
What the heck could cause all of this?

Thanks for your help.  I gave her my truck to drive and I have been 
riding my motorcycle to work.  If it looks like rain I may have to 
drive the OOOWWW-D race car to work....I guess that is good and bad ;-)

Steven Verona
86 4000 Quattro
86 5000s
95 Dodge Ram
82 Yamaha 750 Seca (For Sale)
87 Yamaha FZ700
81 Kawasaki 440 Drifter