2012 volvo xc60 both license plates not working short to ground msg

[Fmcmanus]

I am posting this to save someone some pain. when you get this msg and your lights are not working ,there is no fuse the central electric module ( cem ) looks at the circuit if it doesn't like what it sees it shuts down power. You are going to see people mention possible broken wire or moisture in the harness somewhere. I think the broken wire may be more common in the cars with a trunk. CHECK THE BULBS OR BETTER YET REPLACE BOTH BULBS BEFORE DOING ANYTHING ELSE. One of my bulbs looked fine no broken wire, and if powered with a probe would light up. Put it back on the car and failed both lights. There was barely noticeable corrosion INSIDE the bulb . It was enough that CEM did not like the resistance change. I hope this keeps you out of the painful rabbit holes I went down.