please help -brake lights wont go off

[kapem23]

OK so here is what my problem is- i found out through a friend that was following me yesterday, that at some point my brake lights just stayed on the whole trip. he thought i was riding my brakes but that is not the case. OK so my brake lights stay on all the time, even with the key not in the ignition and the parking light switch off I.E. no head lights tail lights etc. i have looked through the Haynes manual and it mentioned that the problem might be the brake light switch located on the upper end of the brake pedal, i have since removed said switch and the brake lights still stay on with out the switch attached. the only way i can get the lights to go off is to unhook the battery What could be problem? and just out of curiosity which fuse is for the brake lights and where in the fuse panel is it located on a 2003 4x4 6.0L excursion.