rear light snafu in '95 525i Touring

[budshaw]

I recently noticed that the rear lights in the hatchback only no longer work (with the exception of the reversing lights). The outer lights including turn, running, and brake work fine. The bulbs don't look blown and I can't find a bad fuse as cause for the problem either. I recently worked on the center brake light and it is unplugged while I await the replacement bulbs in the mail. Could there be a link? Can anyone help?
thx, budshaw

[shogun]

did you check for a broken wire loom from rear to chassis? Especially the touring has such probs.

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/4...chtorng9zv.jpg
As with the sedan, same happens with the Touring. From trunk to chassis.

this pic is after the outer sheath has been removed.

and here
1994 E34 520i Touring - boot hatch and rear wipe problem(FIXED)

and here you see right side and left side wire loom broken

E34 - My e34 Touring experience... | BavarianForums

same on E39
E39 Electrical Problems Traced to Trunk Lid Harness Wire Chafing (DIY Diagnostic) - Bimmerfest - BMW Forums

[Bo525i]

Check this:

[ScottyWM]

I might be wrong in a '95, but my '93 does not even have any rear lights in the hatch except for the reverse lights. Yes, there's red lenses there, but they are not meant to light up. I suspect they were for rear fog lights (which we don't have in the US). And yes, I just went out to look to make sure. There are empty sockets right below the reverse lights, but they were never functional.