All:

 

On my 1995 Legacy Wagon the light in the back of the wagon will not come on when you open the hatch.   If you manually turn the light on via the switch, it works.

 

Where is the switch for the light?   Is it the two spring loaded pieces on either side of the door on the left /right?   They are quite rusty.   Any good test for the switches?

 

Thanks,

Tom

I think the front door needs to be open. I couldn't find a plunger switch on mine. I just leave mine off (paranoid about a door ajar overnight and dead battery next day.

Is the switch in the back a 3 postion? Off/On/Door?

take a look at the fifth post and wiring for the 95

http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/111-gen-1-1995-1999/47538-why-won-t-my-trunk-light-go-off.html

Edited October 27, 201510 yr by brus brother

My Legacy LS has this problem.

 

With the gate open I tested the current at the bulb with the switch in different positions.  I believe that I am reading a short. Where is that short likely to be? In the gate, as described above, or behind / above the headliner. Could the sunroof have abraded wire?

If the light works in the manual mode then there isn't a shorting problem. The rear hatch switch most likely makes a ground connection in order to turn on the light. The switch either isn't closing to make the connection to ground or there is a wire connection problem to the switch. The switch is most likely located with the door catch. Use a test light probe to check for power getting to the switch through the room light.