Good idea on the temp connection fix, maybe even go ahead and make a wire with spade lugs on the ends and throw it in the console. And here is how to know where to do the shorting.
So, to mimic the brake being depressed one would unplug the switch and short the two outermost pins.
Regarding the switch failure, It could have simply been a poor connection at the plug or a partially engaged plug that had worked it's way loose.
