dave1123

Can anybody tell me where the dome light switch for the rear hatch is on my 00 WJ. I couldn't find it on my 97 ZJ either, but the 97 works and the 00 doesn't. Is it a mercury type switch inside the hatch itself?

In the Dark.

Bustedback

It's a grounding switch built into the latch assembly.

ol"blue

Bustedback has it.

If that switch is bad, you should still be able to use the light by pressing the light's lens to turn it off and on.
On my WJ, when I open the hatch the light goes off after a brief period anyway, (timer related I think). So I just turn it on by using the method stated.

If this doesn't work, check for power at the socket by removing the lens and bulb. Could be a short in either the harness going to the hatch (look in the rubber sock in the gap between the roof and hatch for breaks in wires), or going to the light. Besides the possibility of a bad hatch switch of course. That should give a warning of "Rear Hatch Open" when the key is in the run position if it's good. Does it do this?
JMO of course

dave1123

Thanks for the info, guys. I think I pulled a "Duh". All I did was press the lense and the light came on. ALL the lights came on. then I closed the hatch. They all went off. Opened it again. They all came on. Closed it again. They all went off! Imagine that! What will they think of next?

Anyhow, thanks again! Old Demented Retired Fart

ol"blue

That's great to hear Dave. You can't beat a free/simple fix to a problem.