Subaru Repair: 1998 Subaru Legacy, subaru legacy, light harness

Question
check engine light recently came on.  Other then light coming on, I have noticed no changes in vehicle performance.  When checked by only mechanic that has ever worked on my car, was told it was the brake sensor.  Was told not to worry about it unless it comes on again.  They said this sensor effects different areas, not able to pin-point without further inspection.  The only other "strange" thing that has been happening (about 6 months) is when I apply the brake, the dash board lights up and the parking lights come on. All go off, once I take take foot off brake.  Any ideas as to what these could be?

Answer
I'm confused, but not by you. I don't know of any brake sensor that will turn the check engine light on. This is usually done by the ABS light. The check engine light is to identify a problem with the emissions. But it sounds like you have a short somewhere causing the lights to come on. Believe it or not, I have strange things happen but either A: the brake light bulbs being wrong type, B: the brake light harness severely corroded. Start there.