Brake Light Problem

[viper065]

I have a 1997 Explorer and the lower two brake lights do not come on. The top bar brake light does come on. The turn signals on both sides work fine. I've replaced the fuse, #13 and checked both bulbs but still no luck. I've checked at the brake light switch by the brake pedal and see there are two wires. I think one is the hot feed and the other is the line going to the brake lights. I assume if the top bar is working that means the switch is working and sending juice to the lights. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Electrohacker]

could this be a "you broke my splice" problem on the ground?

if you ran through the hot leads then the ony thing left would be to check the grounds