Today, my instrument cluster "TAILGATE OPEN" warning light illuminated, so I jumped out, opened, then firmly closed my tailgate. The light did not go out as it has in the past. Further, the tailgate courtesy light does not extinguish after the tailgate is securely shut.

Not having access to any wiring diagrams at the moment (I am on a road trip), I am assuming that there is a sensor in the tailgate which signals "closed" to extinguish the courtesy light and prevent the warning light from illuminating. Of course, I looked for such a sensor. My 78 and 88 wagons had a spring loaded switch which depresses when the tailgate is closed. I could find no such switch on my 98 V70. I wondered if it is a proximity switch embedded in the tailgate and the body.

And before anybody asks, I DID check the fuse list for a fuse which might be the culprit, but could not find one listed. Unless such a fuse were used ONLY for this function (unlikely) a failed fuse would take out other electrical features, but I have no other problems.

So, that brings us back to the invisible door switch.

Anybody have any ideas which I could try before I drop some big bucks at the dealership?

TIA,