1995 Legacy: New weirdness: When I press the brake pedal, the instrument panel lights up (even with the car off).  WTF?

sounds like a grounding issue. something backfeeding.

take out both brake bulbs and see if it still happens.

had you changed bulbs recently

check fuses for corrosion?

Edited September 21, 20187 yr by brus brother

1157 type bulbs sometimes have shorted filaments. they are dual fil. and one can sag and touch - weirdness can happen.

or this?

 

On 9/21/2018 at 6:41 PM, quiggs said:

1995 Legacy: New weirdness: When I press the brake pedal, the instrument panel lights up (even with the car off).  WTF?

common, power issue: 

1. check battery
2. clean battery terminals
3. clean battery cable end clamps and make sure they're tight
4. test alternator output
5. makes sure crank pulley isn't separating - draw/paint a line across the face and see if the line is broken after driving
6. check light bulbs - particularly the ones in the rear trunk, etc. 

7. check bulb SOCKETS for corrosion inside at the bottom

8. put the hatch up and see if you have the same problem(wires might be abraded/shorting in the hatch boot)

Edited September 24, 20187 yr by 1 Lucky Texan

Wow, you guys are good: It was the right rear brake light.

common things occur commonly