All of a sudden when I open the rear gate, the rear domelight doesn't come on anymore. It's set to "door" on the switch. If I move it to "on" it comes on, so it's not the bulb. Any ideas? Since it doesn't come on, the factory alarm won't sound either when the gate is opened. I'm assuming because it's not getting a signal that the door is open.

 

darn jason whats goin on with your truck if its not one thing its something else have u checked the door pin ?

 

I don't think there is a PIN for the rear gate???

 

there should be otherwise how does it no its open

 

It's built inside the latch that in the gate. I'm going to take that latch apart and see if something is stuck.

 

my 98 has the same problem. i believe the light switch mechanism is inside the latch and i was told by parts department that you have to replace the entire unit. it was a few hundred from the dealer so i am thinking find it used or not worry about it. let me know if you are able to fix it.

 

Ok, just took the 3 bolts out and pulled off the rubber boot on the back side of the latch, then removed the tention wire that is clipped into it to have more room. I jiggled it around and cleaned it out as much as I could with a rag and mineral spirits around all the dirty parts I could see. Now it works again! I think it just got dirty or something got stuck. I bet you can get it to work again.

 

My 2000 has the exact same problem. Thanks for posting the fix!