BMW Repair: bmw electrical problems, brake light switch, bad lamp

Question
i have a 1995 bmw 325 is with about 100k miles on it. my navigation always says tail light failure, 1brake light failure and brake light circuit,also my lights in the intieor do not work. i have changed bulb in my tail lights and even got new tail lights. i dont know how to fix it but this problem is causing a short on my whole car. how do i fix this

Answer
Hello David,
I guess when you say "my navigation..." you mean the lower dashboard display showing messages.
Among your various problems, start by addressing the "brake light circuit". This means that the brake light switch is defective. This is the switch that is connected to the brake pedal and can be accessed by first removing the driver's side lower dashboard cover. Buy the switch and replace it if you feel like you can do it. You have to break the retaining plastic clips of the old switch to remove it. Of course you have to detach the cable connector. Then pull the movable portion of the new switch before inserting it into the space vacated by the old switch. To do so you have to push the brake pedal down fully. And you have to be a contortionist to do this job, or at least a relative of plastic man. You will understand what I mean when you start to do it.
After you are done with the brakelight switch replacement, then check all the light bulbs that do not light up. Check  the fuses first, then the bulb sockets and the cable connectors/plugs for bad connections.
If all are OK but the lights still do not light up, then you may have a bad lamp control module (but this I doubt). Only a dealer can do this properly since it needs to be coded.
Tino