i have leds on the inside and on grill but those are connected to a different power source. i disconnected those just to see if it would make a difference and never did. I also have aftermarket stereo but i put that in right after i got the car over a year ago.

so i started pulling fuses with the brake light switch disconnected, i got 3 in and lights went out so i looked at what it was and its the ign sw. which is the ignition switch i believe. so does that mean i need new ignition switch or?

Not really....the fuse may power the ignition switch, but the ignition switch has several "legs" out of it that feeds various circuits.....you would need a wiring diagram to trace it out....

Take your time, tracing wiring circuits is very labor intensive, unless, during a visual inspection, you notice something obvious....

This is a diagram for a 2001...your'* should be similar.....

As you can see, circuit #20 comes out of the brake switch....with the harness disconnected, and looking at connector C2, terminal B, the light blue wire....if you probe that wire with a test light attached to ground, it shouldn't light, but it probably will if the brake lights are on....this is the circuit that is shorted to power, or has some aftermarket device in the circuit....this line goes through the rear fuse block...I suggest removing the lower rear seat, and see if you see any additional wiring going to the fuse block....also try grabbing the harnesses in and out of the block and give them a tug while someone watches the brakes lights....if nothing happens, take the palm of you hand, and give the fuse block a few whacks and see if this has an effect on the light....I have seen problems with connections under the fuse blocks in the engine compartment, but haven't seen them under the rear seat...but there is always a first time....