We have a 99 VW Passat and last night we left a friends house after dark. When we started the car, the break light was on - but the parking break was not set? Also the head lights would not come on... I understand that when the parking break is on, the head lights don't work, but the parking break lever was completely down.... I tried several times raising and lowering the parking break, but could not get the light to go off - thus not being able to get the head lights on....

Please help....

There is a small switch at the park brake handle you need to check first.