Volkswagen Repair: Beatle Brake Lights, brake light switch, master cylinder

Question
The brake lights on my 74 beatle will come on and stay on when the car is parked.  Sometimes if the brake petal is pushed and released the lights will go off and other times they stay on.  I have replaced the brake light switch on the master cylinder with no improvement.  

Answer
Maybe have to look at the master cylinder as being the culprit if it istill original equip.  The pressure may not be releasing as the check balls are sticking.  You can either rebuild the unit or buy a rebuilt unit from a jobber like BOW-WOW autoparts.  Dealer will cost a  fortune