Kudu's  to Grossgary   !!!

 

He gave me heads-ups  to check taillights... Sure enough I had a running light bulb base the was corroded and base was loose from glass.   Replaced that and sprayed some contact cleaner on base.

 

Bingo!!! drove around loop and light stayed off!  Who knows what a mechanic that doesn't work on Subies often and what dealer would have charged to repair.   Sure wasn't a place I would start to diagnose problem!!!   Thanks

excellent. so it was the bulb itself, not the socket?