Oldsmobile/Buick Repair: brake lights wont shut off, steering wheel lock, brake light switch

Question
Car:
1989 Buick Regal Limited 2.8L Auto Overdrive

The brake lights won't shut off and drained the battery of every last drop. This is the second time this has happened. My husband changed the brake switch out about a year ago for my grandmother. (purchased at the local Auto Zone) She hasn't driven the car very often since. She ended up giving it to me about a month ago. So it is being driven daily now. It has maybe 2,000 miles on it since it was changed.

There are also other issues. Cruise shuts off when climbing a grade sometimes, also if braking while in cruise upon releasing brake car 'resumes' of it's own will. Car has radio controls in steering wheel - buttons don't always function properly - adjust volume may change channel or shut off completely. Steering wheel has also stopped 'locking'. None (gas, temp, amp, oil) of the gauges in the digital dash work. We did replace the temp with an after market regular one mounted off to the side after my grandmother overheated the the car and the head had to be replaced. Speed, odometer, and RPM all work.

Can all these problems be related? Would you suggest taking it to our local dealer? I'm afraid that we have to have all the wiring replaced. HELP!!!!!

Thanks for your time in advance...Rene'

Answer
Hello Rene,
There is a fuse marked gauges...check it.
The brake light switch may just be out of adjustment.
The steering wheel lock is mechanical, but considering the other symptoms about the radio buttons, I would check to see if the steering wheel has come loose on the shaft, and moved up some. That would also affect the contacts for those radio controls.

I sincerely doubt that you need all the wires replaced.
In addition to that fuse, I would check the connector through the firewall where the wires all pass through.

Van