Matthew Sullivan

Hi there. I am new to all of this forum stuff and I am hoping that someone might be able to help. I have recently brought a 1991 xj40 4 lt sovereign which has few minor issues.... I hope?! Firstly, my nearside rear stop light bulb blows the moment you press the pedal and melts the stem on one side? the light cluster looks almost like new, so i doubt it could be the problem. could it be a bad earth or a power spike? Secondly, my car is fitted with a Jag towbar form new, and the warning light on the dash is on all the time? Is this normal? or is it all linked? My handbrake light is also on most of time even when the handbrake is fully depressed, it goes off now and again? Not sure if these are all related, but any help would be very welcomed. Thanks