So I got pulled over last night because my tail lights were not on. I changed the bubs and tail light fuse and still nothing comes on. However the brake lights come on, I am stumped. I tapped into the rear parking lights for the meantime so I don't pulled over again. Anyone have an idea what could be causing this?

 

What lights are you referring to when you say rear parking lights? Tail lights are the parking lights. Also, do the side marker lights come on?

 

The tail lights do not come on, the front and side parking lights do come on. Brake lights work though.

 

There is a device in the trunk called the "Stop and tail lamp unit" that could be your culprit. I think it is mounted in the back panel that the trunk lid latch in it.

The electricity from the light switch goes to the side markers, license plate lights and this stop and tail lamp unit. The the stop and tail lamp unit sends the electricity to the tail lights.

Click on this link and go to page 456. The actual schematic is on page 71.

http://boredmder.com/FSMs/Nissan/Maxima/

 

Thank you for your help. Once the weather gets a little warmer I will check it out. Hopefully it will fix the issue.