Old Ford Transit. Won't stop

A mate is restoring a 1976 Ford Transit Pickup. It has a Ford 'York' 2.4 Diesel engine. The engine has been re-built and runs like a dream but it won't stop without stalling it! There appears to be some sort of electrical mechanism resembling a wiper motor with a cable so… How would that work? Anyone any ideas please? Totally puzzled!

Freaky Brake Lights Being Activated?

This is on a Ford 04 Windstar.
The van hasn't been driven in hours but than light up like they are being used. This has caused the battery to run down over a few hours and is pissing me off.

Is there some sort of short in the brake light system? Or is this Windstar possessed by a demon from brake light Hell?

Okay mechanic but don't know where to start.