Subaru Repair: 97 Subaru Legacy L light issues, aircraft mechanic, subaru legacy

Question
My 97 Subaru's panel lights went out last week. I was also informed (on my way home after school the same night) that my taillights are not working.  I've checked all the bulbs I can think of, and all the fuses I can get to. I have backup lights, turnsignals, and all headlights, but no taillights at all. I bought the Haynes technical manual for this car, but cannot find any indications involving the panel lights and taillights.  A friend said it was a switch, but the manual didn't offer any information on this (or if it does, I am not proficient enough to realize it.). I am a single female with no job, so any repairs need to be made by me, or someone who won't charge a shop fee for labor.  I am in school to become an aircraft mechanic, but I just got into the powerplant side of it two weeks ago. So, if I can, I'd like to try fixing this myself first.

Answer
Are you talking about the lights in the mode selector or the dash lights including the speedo and tach?The mode bulbs burn out all the time.As far as the taillights go you would need to look at whether or not you have power and ground at the sockets.And if not figure out why.Most likely either the combo switch has failed or the parking lamp rocker switch on top of the column.The tests are pretty strait forward look at the schematic for the wire out of the switch to the taillight circuit and test it for power if there is power in and no power out when the switch is turned on the switch is faulty.I hope that helps

Justin
All Wheel Drive Auto