need help no-brake lights

Make ABSOLUTEY certain the hazard switch is OFF. The brake lamp power runs through the switch. I used to know these switches, but it's been YEARS. They were never designed to be repaired internally.

I used to know how to "jimmy" repair them. They would develop a problem internally with the hazard part of the switch, and there is a way to cut/ move one wire so that everything works except the hazard, which I used to just cut off. This was meant to be a temporary repair, back in my Navy days --you know-- broke sailors!!!