94 Caravan intermittent cargo door open light

[navyguns]

The cargo (back hatch) open light comes on intermittently while driving, and sometimes when the vehicle is parked. This turns on the dome lights and can result in a drained battery if it occurs overnight. Any ideas on why this is happening?

[B33p3r]

Bad switch or wiring on back hatch?

[navyguns]

Could be either one. I am new to this vehicle so am not entirely familiar with how that latch/switch setup works. Is the switch actuated by the latch itself? I also see switches on the sides of the hatch opening that seem to be closed by the closing of the lift gate, what do they do?

I did notice that with the gate open, and moving it up and down, the lights will go on and off. I played with the two wiring harnesses at the top to try to make it do the same thing, but it didn't repeat. So it sounds like something is loose or shorted.

Can you suggest a starting point?

Thanks.

[oneeyeguy]

Originally Posted by navyguns

Could be either one. I am new to this vehicle so am not entirely familiar with how that latch/switch setup works. Is the switch actuated by the latch itself? I also see switches on the sides of the hatch opening that seem to be closed by the closing of the lift gate, what do they do?

I did notice that with the gate open, and moving it up and down, the lights will go on and off. I played with the two wiring harnesses at the top to try to make it do the same thing, but it didn't repeat. So it sounds like something is loose or shorted.

Can you suggest a starting point?

Thanks.

have you had the rear hatch recalls done on it if not take it to the dealer and have them do the hatch recall ..I believe when they did mine it included a new switch..http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/pr...callsearch.cfm
good luck hope this helps

[oneeyeguy]

Originally Posted by oneeyeguy

have you had the rear hatch recalls done on it if not take it to the dealer and have them do the hatch recall ..I believe when they did mine it included a new switch..http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/pr...callsearch.cfm
good luck hope this helps

heres what it says
CHRYSLER WILL REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH WITH A NEW STRONGER LATCH ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE. CHRYSLER BEGAN NOTIFYING OWNERS DURING DECEMBER 1995.