Rear Cargo light won't turn on...

[waketek516]

Hey Guys,

The rear cargo light on my '97 won't turn on when the tailgate is open. At first I thought it was just a bad bulb, but when I move the switch to "ON" it lights up.

My problem is that when its on the "DOOR" setting - it never comes on. Where is the switch that determines whether the rear hatch is open or not? I looked around the edges and can't see what triggers the light.

Thanks in advance for the help!

-Tommy

 

[waketek516]

51 views.... anyone know where I can start troubleshooting?

 

[mswscco]

I'm having the same problem. In my case, however, the light does work in the "Door" position if the key is in the ignition and set to the on position.

 

[justwoody1]

Maybe this will help.

~original[/IMG]

 

[waketek516]

Maybe this will help.

~original[/IMG]

Ahhhh awesome! I spent an hour today trying to find where the hell that back door switch would be! Hopefully this will help!:reddance:

 

[justwoody1]

This should help. Good luck.

~original[/IMG]

[/IMG

 

[habanero]

habanero's 1996 4Runner Build-Up Thread - Page 22 - YotaTech Forums
Starts at post 427, goes on for a little while. Not much different than what you already have, just in photos and more detail. If you haven't checked the wires between the cargo hatch and the body (under rubber boot at top) do that first.

 

[revenantdead]

the courtesy light switch is a very common problem. i had to replace mine. it's in the latch for the rear hatch.

 

[waketek516]

the courtesy light switch is a very common problem. i had to replace mine. it's in the latch for the rear hatch.

Did you have to replace the whole latch? I'm going to check the wires in the hatch first, before taking the latch apart, but just curious on what part you replaced

 

[habanero]

Did you have to replace the whole latch? I'm going to check the wires in the hatch first, before taking the latch apart, but just curious on what part you replaced

He would have had to replace the whole latch because it's riveted together. Check my thread, there's pics of the latch, its interior and instructions on how to get in the hatch. Some have been able to get some lube into the latch (if that switch is the problem) and get the switch to work again. Someone might as well get a little use out of my work.
You know, after checking those other wires.

 

[cyclops13]

Bumping up an old thread but just opened up the rear hatch rubber grommet and found a wire cut and 2 spliced. Just wanted to know what are these wires for?

 

[hrt4me]

Bumping up an old thread but just opened up the rear hatch rubber grommet and found a wire cut and 2 spliced. Just wanted to know what are these wires for?

is there anything on your 4Runner which does not currently work?

 

[blueblur1984]

I actually had this exact same problem. I replaced the bulb which did nothing, but I noticed there was a tiny bit of corrosion on the backside of the light housing which seemed to be the circuit for the door. I hit it with a wire brush (gently...it's very thin metal) and that did the trick. The latch could be a possibility too. I opened up my liftgate panel and cleaned it all out...opens and shuts just as smooth as a 2014 model

 

[cyclops13]

is there anything on your 4Runner which does not currently work?

The rear window defogger does not works but that's more of a switch on the dash which is broken. Does anybody have a service manual page which explains the color codes for the rear hatch wires?

 

[SKDMRKS]

Super helpful.
I have this problem as well. Mine is compounded by the fact that the rear hatch has to be slammed in order to close. This of course affects the courtesy sensor and all other things.

Thanks

 

[Jedrattle]

I have the same problem. Bump so I can find it for the diagrams

 

[Ron Helmuth]

just another link

This one helped me out a bit today:

Rear Dome Light fixed... - YotaTech Forums

Spray that latching mechanism with a boatload of degreaser, it worked for the original poster and myself-of course check the wires that are easiest to get to first....

Mad props to habanero for the details that got me started on this. I've only been putting it off for about 5 years now.

 

[habanero]

Thanks for the props, Ron.

Since I put about a zillion disclaimers on my thread for anyone who wades through my link the light and the latch still work without a problem. I was scratching an itch to see how it went together. Turned out the switch had a beetle critter lodged inside it. So...

I agree, start with the lube solution after checking broken wires first.