I had a malfunctioning taillight (blowing fuses) that I eventually traced to a short (severed wire) in the conduit that carries wiring into the trunk. After eight or so years of bending each time the trunk was opened, the wire finally fatigued.

Point being, your malfunction may not be a direct result of the poor old deer or the elderly Lewbowski's wife Bunny. Tracking shorts can be a real bear. I got lucky finding mine. Pull the lining out of your trunklid and have a look. May take you an hour, but I bet you find it!