Oldsmobile/Buick Repair: Brake Lights, turn signal switch, oldsmobile cutlass

Question
I have an 88 oldsmobile cutlass and just realized that my brake lights are not working. Turn & Parking are fine. Found the fuse blown and have been unable to track down the short. If I measure on the load side of the fuse I have a dead short to ground. Removed the fuse block and for a moment it cleared but I dont see any obvious damage and the wires after leaving the fuse block go into a wire bundle.  Do you have any ideas? Also I found two relays under the hood that appear to have a compound on their connectors any ideas on that stuff it reminds me of silicon but I cant understand what it is for.

Answer
Probably dialectric grease...leave it there.
Check the stop light switch above the brake pedal.
If the signals work, the wires and bulbs are good, cause they are the same.
If you want to measure resistance, take the bulbs out, cause they will look like a short on some meters.
The brake lights, by the way, go through the turn signal switch also.
Van