Tail light problem!

[1996BLKBauer]

So I was backing off the lift at school, and on of the kids says that I have lights out, I said, I know about the reverse lights (the bulb sockets have a ton of corrosion, been to lazy to replace), he then said, no, your tail lights don't work at all, only your high mount works. So WTF? if I am correct in the wiring, the CHMSL will work only if it is triggered by the normal tail lights, right? so if they both don't work, then that should not either. Before I go and diagnose the problem in 32 degree weather, I would like to know if our Explorers have a common problem like this, and what I can do to fix it.

thanks, Harold.

 

[96eb96]

Looking at my 96 wiring diagram-
The high mount lamp is on its own circuit, with its own fuse (actually double fused with the main lamps). It does not pass thru the LOM (if optioned).

Testing the rear brake lamps should be easy - Interior fuse 13 (15A) => pedal brake switch=>splice that feeds things that if bad your truck wouldn't run!=> to a splice that feeds both lamps. If your EB has the message center, the circuit passes thru the harness under your center console and enters the LOM module. The issue could be there, I had to resolder it to fix my headlights.

 

[1996BLKBauer]

Looking at my 96 wiring diagram-
The high mount lamp is on its own circuit, with its own fuse (actually double fused with the main lamps). It does not pass thru the LOM (if optioned).

Testing the rear brake lamps should be easy - Interior fuse 13 (15A) => pedal brake switch=>splice that feeds things that if bad your truck wouldn't run!=> to a splice that feeds both lamps. If your EB has the message center, the circuit passes thru the harness under your center console and enters the LOM module. The issue could be there, I had to resolder it to fix my headlights.

Thanks for the info, I spoke to my instructor, and he said we'll check it out on Monday, and that lighting is covered in the class that I am in, so it counts for points, , atleast now I can deal with it in a heated shop.