my '83 brake lights only turn on when i press the brakes n i narrowed it down to the wires being grounded...maybe im just stupid but i cant get the tail lights off n i tried goin throught the trunk lik newer cars but theres no screws!... uhm yea this is the first older car ive worked on n its my first car.... pics if u can please..i really wanna be able to drive at night n not be scared to get pulled over

 

You have to remove some interior plastic panels to get to the nuts that hold them in. See those big plastic screws that hold them on? First take off the passenger side one that hides the spare tire and then you can take off the back piece. 5 nuts on each one. The ones up in the corners are hardest too see. May have to go through the glove box on the driver side to get that one. Make sure all bulbs are good while you're in there

 

ok so i was able to take off that big plastic case that protects the trunk lock but the driver side plastic is attached to the strut...do i have to take the strut off? or am i looking at the wrong spot? ill post a pic if necessary

 

No need to take that side off. Can you see the black plastic nuts that you unscrew to take the tail lights out? Unscrew them and carefully pull out the tail lights and check what you need to. Reverse for installation