740 lighting problem

1986 740 Turbo.

For some time the bulb failure light stays on whenever the exterior lights are on, and whenever I hit the brakes when no exterior lights are on.

Now I notice that when no exterior lights are on, the instrument panel illumination lights come on when I press down the brake pedal: they come off when the pedal is released.

Also having issues with the courtesy light, which works fine for all doors except the driver's: intermittent there (the switch tests out fine).

Any suggestions?

Maybe the bulb out relay is going bad. Your car may also have a rear bulb out relay.

I recently replaced the old bulb relay with a new one: didn't fix it.

Good grief.

Now I notice that when I apply the brake the inst. panel lights and the front parking lights illuminate while the pedal is down.

Cause?

Check the taillamps and make sure that the wires for the brake lights aren't shorting out against the taillight wires and that the ground wires are connected properly. Also, are you noticing that the turn signals flash slowly on either one side or both sides? If that's going on as well, then, yes, your grounds are messed up back there.

-J