tail lights won't work!!

[dave the boat]

Hi All
My first posting & I am hoping for some technical guidance.
I have a 97chim which i bought a few weeks ago.
The problem is the rear side/tail lights & No plate lights don't work any more! everything else works. From what i can see from the Steve heath Bible the front side lights & rear side lights & No plate lights are on the same circuit But I can find no reference to a relay which seperates the front from the back. Is there one? As this would be the easy answer.
I can see refernce to a relay for dipped beam & one for main beam. Could it be that the dipped beam one is the culprit?
I have checked all fuses & cables that i can at this stage there is just no power to the appropriate places.
Thanks for reading.
David

[parrot of doom]

Blindingly obvious one, but the bulbs are all still working aren't they?

[Nick_Chim]

And not in upside down like mine were...

[Ribol]

There will not be a relay, all side lights and number plate lights will be on the same circuit. If the front ones are ok then maybe there is a bad earth on the rear or a problem with loom connections.
I would first check to see what is missing on a non working lamp, live or earth. Depending on what you find either try a temporary earth or check the wiring loom connections inside the panel above the n/s seat belt.

[dave the boat]

Thanks for replys guys
All other rear lights work including the brake lights so had assumed that the positive feed was the problem Have checked all bulbs visually but not with meter but hopefully if one fails the others would continue to work.
I did not know there was any connections above the n/s seat belt I assume these are in the body work behind the door lock? I fitted new seals to doors & soft top so there was some vibration from knocking the seal home firmly this clould well have disturbed a loose connection.
when i have finished with my customers today I shall go & have another go armed with my new information.
Thanks
David

[dave the boat]

Thanks Ribol
Turned out to be a two second job.
The connector above the n/s seat belt was the problem.
Just the sort of usefull info i was hoping for as I don't know the car that well yet.
David

[Ribol]

dave the boat said:

I fitted new seals to doors & soft top so there was some vibration from knocking the seal home firmly this could well have disturbed a loose connection.

Ease up guy, it's only made of plastic