Driver brake light socket is partially melted. Why?
 

The dashboard bad bulb warning light turns on when I step on the brake pedal. The driver's brake light is weakly lit and the plastic portion of the brake bulb socket was partially melted. Does anyone have an idea why this circuit is drawing so much current that it is melting the plastic? Thanks in advance.

Cruddy connections equal high resistance which also equals heat. This happens between the bulb and bulb holder and between holder and socket. The bulb-out sensor senses unequal resistance between bulbs in the circuit.
Ed

re bad bulb
 

thanks for the observation. I have cleaned the contacts and placed a dilectric grease at the connection.