Tail lights not working

[8flags]

Good morning. Had to replace the ignition key cylinder in the column, daughter lost only key. Put it all back together and everything works Brake lights, turn signals, backup lights EXCEPT for the taillights.
Bulbs are good, checked all fuses. Checked power and there is no power back there with light switch on. Just got it back from the shop for a transmission rebuild. Didn't notice if the tailights were working after I picked it up.
So I figure its something I did disassembling/reassembling the steering column to replace ignition key cylinder or perhaps something the transmission shop did.
Any ideas?

 

[HighSierra CJ]

Have you checked to see if power is going through the brake light switch?
I would start at the switch and work my way back.

 

[8flags]

Thanks for the quick response. What switch are you referring to please. Maybe the light switch?

 

[HighSierra CJ]

There is a plunger switch up high behind the brake pedal. You should see a tab on the upper part of the brake pedal that presses the plunger switch once the break pedal is pressed. I have even had that tab bend so that it doesn’t press the plunger. It’s kind of hard to get to, as it is underneath the dash high on the pedal behind tha pedal arm. Also, the plunger switch is adjustable. It is threaded with nuts on either side of the bracket for adjustment.

Hopefully, it’s something simple like the wires coming off the plunger switch. Good luck.

 

[HighSierra CJ]

It should look like this

 

[HighSierra CJ]

Sorry, I read this wrong. I thought your brake lights were not working. Disregard the brake switch idea. I would check the light switch, and may be the turn signal plug that plugs in to your ignition switch, which is mounted on your steering column, Make sure all the pins are connecting. Sorry about the confusion.

 

[FLCJ8]

Good morning. Had to replace the ignition key cylinder in the column, daughter lost only key. Put it all back together and everything works Brake lights, turn signals, backup lights EXCEPT for the taillights.
Bulbs are good, checked all fuses. Checked power and there is no power back there with light switch on. Just got it back from the shop for a transmission rebuild. Didn't notice if the tailights were working after I picked it up.
So I figure its something I did disassembling/reassembling the steering column to replace ignition key cylinder or perhaps something the transmission shop did.
Any ideas?

Do your front side marker, grill park/turn signals work?

 

[Adam7&8]

Had this issue in the past and it was the hi-beam switch on the floor.

 

[8flags]

Do your front side marker, grill park/turn signals work?

Yes. Sorry for the late response been in San Antonio on a much need vacation.

 

[FLCJ8]

Okay...
If everything else is working properly front and back (turn signals, parking, hazards, brake, backup) and only the rear tail lights aren't working then there are two places that can be an issue.
1) With the parking lights turned on - check to confirm there is power from the headlight switch to the tail lights at the LH taillight plug (at the terminal from the white wire to a good ground).

If you have power there, check to confirm the connections are clean and tight.
If you don't have power there the next connector upstream, between the headlight switch and the taillights, is under the dash near the fuse panel.

*see next post as I can only post one attachment at a time

 

[FLCJ8]

The next place to check is the plug that feeds all the functions to the taillights .
(It should be located near the fuse panel under the dash.)

Again check for power from the white wire to a good ground while the parking lights are on.
Confirm that you have power and good connections.

This connection is fed from the same headlight switch source as the front grill and side marker lights (so theoretically if they are working this connector should be getting power also)