Hatch Light Problem - 2000 Forester

[howards11]

I am having a problem with the hatch light in my 2000 Forester. On the Friday after Thanksgiving the car was rear ended.

The body shop supposedly repaired the switch which is contained in the hatch handle. This past winter the light would operate erratically; once in a while it would not work. I thought is was the cold weather. The cold weather is now past us and the problem has gotten worse. When I lift the handle, I can see the light go on and then as I lift the hatch I can see the light go off ! Now sometimes the light works OK but working OK seems to be once in a blue moon.

 

My questions:

Is there a simple fix for this problem that I could attempt myself? I will be calling the body shop this week and see if they'll do something about this under whatever warranty they have on repairs. Or should I just forget the body shop and just take it over to the dealer and pay for it out of my pocket ?

 

Thanks in advance for your help and suggestions.

 

~Howard

 

[Commuter]

Years ago, this started happening on my 88 Civic (trunk light).

 

I would see the light come on, but as I raised the trunk lid, it would go off.

 

I was convinced that it was a sensor, switch, contact, whatever.

 

I finally found the problem. The wire following along the hinge (which has to flex) had broken inside the insulation. One electrical connector later, and all was good.

 

I'm dubious that this is your problem, but just something else for you to check.

 

Commuter