The rear running lights on my 98 Outback wont turn off. It does not seem to be the parking light switch on the steering column because the front parking lights turn on and off properly with that switch. I even removed the switch and the tail lights still stayed on. All other lights work fine. I saw some similar posts but they had different wiring harnesses. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

You sure it is the running lights and not the brake lights?

This happens sometimes when trailer hitch wiring gets corroded.

Could also be a corroded ground connection. The ground for the rear lights is behind the trim in the right rear quarter panel area.

 

If the lights on the hatch are staying on, that could be due to broken wiring where it bends to go from the body to the hatch inside /near the rubber flex boot deal.

Brake lights not taillgihts.

 

The rubber stop that hits the button on the switch is probably gone.