Extended Cab Rear Door Latch

[bmoore58]

In the rear doors of a 99 Extended cab, there is a 2-prong wire connected to the lower latch. What is it for, and does it have to be connected?

 

[Otis413]

Unless I'm mistaken, (I did look it up a while back) they're for the "door open" light on the dash and the dome light, no they're not necessary, I disconnected mine (on my '02 Ranger) because the latch was rusted open and the dome light wouldn't go out unless the GEM turned it off. At least one of the wires to the switch grounds when the latch is open and opens when the latch is closed for the dome light, the other I'm not sure. Again it's been a few years since I messed with mine so maybe someone can confirm or correct that..

 

[Otis413]

Ok, I found my notes from where I was working on my '02s dome light problem, there's a wire that comes off the GEM module; Pin #7 Gy/Red to right side front door -splice> Pk/LtBlue to back doors -splice> LtGreen/Ye to left rear door and Pk/LtBlue to Right rear door, these wires ground to indicate door open and turn on dome light. I'm not sure what the second wire to the switch is, I think its a ground wire.

 

[bmoore58]

Thank you very much. I bought a new latch, but the plug was different. So obviously, the wire need not be connected. Thanks again for your input!