Hey all, I have a 1982 GMC K5 Jimmy 6.2L Diesel, I have owned it for about 2 1/2 years, its a great truck and I love it, it sits parked outside most of the time, I bought it mostly for light duty 4x4 fun, and snow. I usually start it and give it a drive once a month just to keep everything lubed and the Batteries charged. So yesterday I fired it up to take it down to the tire shop to have a screw removed from one of the tires that i noticed leaking air.
I pull out of the driveway and turn on the wipers for a quick wipe and they sometimes dont want to shut off, the switch feels worn out, I have dealt with this issue a few times before, if I shut the truck off and restart it then they are fine, so I pulled over and shut the truck off and It wouldnt start back up.
I thought maybe my Batteries where low but all the lights where bright, so i got under it with a screw driver and crossed the starter lead wire to power and she fired right up and I was on my way, I figured that the moist NW weather wasn't agreeing with it and that it would start working again but it didnt, Also since it wont start now, also the Brake lights come on if I turn the key On but only if the vehicle is in Park or Reverse. If I put it in Neutral or a forward gear or if the key is off the brake lights work fine, I replaced the brake light switch, no difference, I unplugged the switch entirely and they still come on if the key is on and the the vehicle is in Park or (R) .......WEIRD!!!!!!!!!
some one told me that possibly my neutral safety switch went out, could that be causing both of my new problems?

 

In an 82 is the wiper control on the turn indicator stalk? The issue you're having with the wipers staying on has happened to both my 86 and my 89, I believe it is a short in the wiper motor itself.

From all the issues you describe I'd start by looking at all the connections on the steering column. I wouldn't know where to start with the brake lights, that is weird.

What part of Portland are you in?