1998 Jeep Cherokee Brake Lights
 

I know there's been tons of threads about this issue but I want to make sure I am on the right track as this is my first ever XJ. Rear left and right brake lights do not work. The 3rd brake light on the hatch does work without issue so I do not suspect it being the brake switch by the pedal. The parking lamps under the headlight and corner lights work on FR+ FL. The parking lamp ONLY works for RL tail light, not RR tail light even by swapping the bulbs. When I press the brake, nothing comes on for either tail light. All turn signals work as do my dash lights. I checked all the fuses under the hood and by the passenger kick panel for #7 + #23, none are blown. I'm not sure what to check next and I'm about to run the power from the 3rd brake light to the other 2 just to get it working.

Can you check for voltage at the plug with a multimeter? Just to see if the plug itself is getting power.

Secondly, there is a wiring harness behind the plastic trim on the left side of the cargo bay. There is some venting in the plastic to indicate where the harness is - remove all the screws and bolts associated with that panel (3 bolts for the rear seat, and some screws) and check for any issues with wiring. I'll see if I can find a wiring diagram so you can check with a multimeter.

If you have a trailer hitch wiring adapter, bypass it for testing purposes. Double check those fuses, and maybe even check for voltage at the fuse panel if you don't have voltage at any of the plugs in the rear.

EDIT:
There is a lighting wiring diagram in the post here;
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f67/le...5/#post2048741

Start with the tail light plug and work your way upstream for there

Thanks for this. I plan to test the voltage today for the plugs. For my RL tail light, the light does come on though when I turn on the headlights, just when I press the brakes, nothing happens. For this issue, I'm getting power from somewhere but there may still be a wiring issue behind the panel?

Update
 

Turns out after buying a new bulb, the left side is resolved (lol). I tested the voltage on the right side and it was spiking all over the place. I believe it to be a bad socket so I ordered a used tail light harness off eBay. Going to wait for that to come and see if it fixes the issue.