1997 Outback Liftgate ajar light always on

[Amerikaner83]

hello -

My wife has a 97 Legacy Outback wagon, and just recently her "liftgate ajar" light on her instrument panel comes on and stays on, even when the gate is closed and locked. The kicker is this - when the brake pedal is depressed, the "liftgate ajar" light goes off. Release the brake pedal, goes right back on. When the car is on, when the car is off - same thing. We had to completely turn off the overhead dome light since the dome light automatically comes on when a door is ajar.

I've looked at the rear hatch and lift gate area and don't really know what I'm doing here, though it would help if i had access to a wiring diagram or something. I pulled the rear hatch door panels off and have the wires and rear latch mechanism available but i don't see a short or anything....

Does anyone have an idea on where to go from here?

Thanks!

[bebobullet]

My wife's 2001 Outback had the same issue less the turning off when the brake pedal is pushed. The problem you are facing is the limit switch on the rear hatch is not making contact properly or the latch is worn. On my wife's car the answer was a light coating of lubricant (preferable a light weight grease) on the bracket that the latch grabs when closing. Also, I had to close the hatch from the flat section on the bottom of the hatch. Close the hatch most of the way and push it hard and don't let it "bounce" back. Don't slam it shut just push it with force and hold the pressure for an instant.

Also, I would suggest inspecting the contact surface on the limit switch and see if it is wore and needs to be replaced.