Rear Light Switch

[MDTrailrider]

During the winter my rear compartment interior light stopped working when I open the rear door. The light goes on if I reach up, find the manual switch in the dark and turn the light on. That's a bit troublesome when it's dark and I have a bunch of hunting stuff in my hands or a gun over my shoulder. I also usually forget to turn it off and have to get back out of the truck when I realize I forgot to turn it off.

Does anyone know where the door switch is? I can't find it. I was hoping it was just frozen or dirty but it was warm enough the last few days to thaw it out and the door switch is still not working. Is it a mercury switch buried somewhere? Is it a pressure switch under the gasket somewhere? I felt all around the door for it but couldn't feel it.

 

[IBallEngineer]

the door switch is still not working. Is it a mercury switch buried somewhere? Is it a pressure switch under the gasket somewhere? I felt all around the door for it but couldn't feel it.

It is inside the door, not sure the type, but the WD shows it to the left of the license housing. I had assumed it was built in to the latch(and it may be). It sends ground to the back door ECU, also in the door, which then communicates with the Body ECU.

:couch2:

 

[Ron Helmuth]

look for another clue

When your rear hatch is open is the indicator light at the dash glowing to let you know?

The same indicator lets you know when one of the doors is open, so if that does not function with the hatch open, then you have narrowed down the problem to being inside the plastic trim of the hatch. It is not uncommon for one of the wires inside there to have broken.

If that indicator does work when hatch is open then it could be as simple as the rear dome light is defective in the door position.

I believe it is habanero that has a good write up either here or over on Yota Tech on pulling the back hatch trim and what to look for.