Problem: license plate lights fail to illuminate.

Fuse is good because the left tail park light works. Power positive to both lights per voltmeter. New bulbs. cleaned contacts. Other circuits are good (3rd brake light, wiper, defrost, remote lock.

Discovered that there are broken wires at the hinges. Both are black and others are frayed bad. To rule out this variable; I got my wife's sewing needles and stuck them in both sides of the broken wires. I then crossed the conducting needles to contact to form a spice. No go.

I know this seems like a small problem, but to me it is war. I am obsessed to not only get the lights working again but also solve this equation. WTF can this be??