Hello all! New member and first post.
I just recently purchased a new to me 1997 XJ and everything was A-OK until I stupidly left the liftgate open while moving it around in my driveway and backed into a tree. Now I have no brake lights. All other lights work as they should. I've replaced the brake light switch and the bulbs for all three brake lights to no avail. Fuses look good and the grounds in the rear cargo area look good. I'm starting to lean towards the wiring in the liftgate being damaged or the turn signal switch being bad. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated!

 

Maybe you smashed and pinched the wiring harness

 

Check the wring in the boot. It's the #1 suspect, waaaay before the brake switch.

 

It was the wiring in the boot, inside the liftgate. Looks like I'll be doing some soldering tomorrow. Also blew the fuse for the 3rd brake light in the PDC box, which probably happened when i struck the tree and shorted the wires. Thanks for the replies!

 

Thanks for reporting back with the solution!