firstly.... hate the new forum layout.
 
secondly, i just went to the supermarket (walked) and got back to notice my brake lights were on.... im sure they were off when i left.
 
initially i thought a smart ass neighbour had turned my park lights on (i occasionally leave the window open between getting home and vehicle shuffling)... but it turns out it's only the brake lights... all of them.. and they won't turn off.
 
My thinking is its the brake switch, but that doesn't explain why it would suddenly come on when the pedal is not down... id expect it to STAY on once pushed or fail when pushed... not randomly while the cars sitting there.\
 
Anyways i had to pull the battery to get them to turn off...  
 
has anyone seen this happen? is there any reason for it aside from a failed switch?

My switch failed in a similar kind of way.  I know 'cause I put it in the car hole at night, so I would've seen if they were on, by the time I came out to it the next day they were on.  The switch had crumbled and left its remains all over my footwell in about 50 bits.

My moneys on the brake switch.
 
That being said, I noticed on my white (auto) mr2 that the brake light switch would eventually stay on.
One of the mechanics at work at the time drove it in and adjusted it and was fine since then.
 
As stated above, usually when the brake switch failed you see the crumbled remnants of it on the floor.

thanks all... reckon thats the bit. looked up the part number and it seems common toa  bunch of toyotas (and other makes) so hopefully i dont have to wait long for it...

Tridon TBS014 is the part number for non cruise control. About $15 from any auto parts store.