no tail lights

Alright, my 98 Tacoma 4wd has spoiled me to the point that I can not complain really, but it sucks that I don't have any tail lights. I have checked the fuses, bulbs, traced the wiring for bad grounds, breaks, connections and have come up empty handed and heart broken because I cannot drive after dark now. Could my problem possibly be in the the actual steering wheel turn signal switch? Has anyone else ever had this problem?

 

It could be in the socket itself

 

In the fall I had issues with my brake lights. Turned out to be a corroded connector in the tail light assembly. I was able to remove the corrosion with a small file then added some dielectric grease before reassembling.

 

So, the rear tail lights are not coming on, but the front running lights are OK?

 

Yes sir. Everything else is working fine.

 

Those rear tail lights are on the same circuit as the license plate lights. Do those work?

Have you tested the sockets with a volt-meter to see if they are getting power?

 

No, they don't work either. The bulbs are shot. I haven't tested them with a volt meter either. I plan on replacing them tomorrow. They appear to be corroded as well. Like they were submerged in water.