The cargo light does not come on when the rear gate is opened (switch is in the correct position) and works in the other settings. There isn't any obvious switch so, I suspect, it is in the latch and/or a wiring issue (o5 OBXT). Any insight? Thx
Seen a few of those generation legacy's/outbacks with poor wiring connections for the socket inside the lamp housing. Often taking the lamp housing out of the headliner and messing with the wiring connection will fix it. Could be as easy as a faulty bulb. The switches on those lamps suck too. If you switch the toggle a bunch of times from "off"-"on", sometimes it will start working. The only wiring issue I see with those often enough is the wiring inside the flex boot on the passenger side of the gate. There are about 16 wires inside the loom. Often times, 3-6 of them break. The reason I don't see that causing your problem, is the cargo lamp wiring is before the flex, so those wires don't break.
Good advice. Would you know if the latch acts as the "switch" or is there some other way that indicates if the hatch is open or closed? Thanks.
Thanks. I am really trying to determine how the cargo light "knows" the rear hatch is open...there isn't any obvious switch. Thoughts?
I'm not sure if my situation is the same as yours, but my 02 2.5RS sedan originally had no trunk cargo light. I had to purchase a cargo light kit that included both the lamp as well as a new latch wired as the "switch". https://www.subarugenuineparts.com/product_info.php?products_id=744
That's odd because the WRX's have a trunk light. For some reason, lots of them don't work though, and I'm not sure where the trigger switch is for them.
The switch for the light is in the latch assembly in your gate. I suppose if the wires in your flex gromet are broken for the switch, it won't ever turn on.