Help with rear lock 1997 Safari

[Overnite]

I just bought this 97 Safari a few weeks ago and the rear lock is giving me fits. None of the power locks worked when I bought it except for the rear hatch it worked fine. I have all of the locks working now except for the rear dutch door. I have the lock out and hooked up to the 2 wire connector. If I put it in the lock position by hand the door latch is locked and when put the key in and turn the lock it unlocks the latch. Everything works to that point but what I can't seem to figure out is what returns the latch to the lock position. If the latch is mounted in the door it is always unlocked. Is it supposed to lock automatically when you shut the door either electrically or by movement of the latch when it shuts? Thanks for any help!

[Rileysowner]

I don't know what triggers it. Do your interior lights turn on when you open the dutch door hatch? I know there are switches on the top of the lift arms, but I don't know if they also trigger the latches or if they are just for the interior lights.

[Overnite]

That was a good idea but the dome lights come on with the hatch opening. I might have to rig a cable on it to lock it before I shut the door. Thank you for your help!

[Rileysowner]

There has to be something that triggers it, but I don't know what. Sorry I couldn't help.

[CaptSquid]

Don't know about the 97, but my 92 has a switch on either lift strut. The driver's side strut controls the dome lights and the passenger side controls the latches.

[Overnite]

Thanks for the help everyone. I found a small plastic box behind the jack storage panel and unplugged it and opened it up . I has a circuit board with two small open relays on it. One of the relays opens and closes when I activate it by turning the key to unlock the hatch but the other one does nothing when the door or hatch is closed. I cleaned the contacts on both of them and I can activate the one that does nothing with the hot wire from the relay that opens the hatch. I will check into the hatch wiring as suggested above. Maybe I have a broken wire or a bad switch? I'll check continuity from the hatch to that connector on that little box and let you know what I find. Thanks again for all of your help.