I had removed the tailgate light and after replacing it the light stays on now when the car is off and the tail gate open message appears when I start the car. I can hit the button at the end of the turn signal stock to clear the message and I removed the light but unsure how to get the light to turn off and the message to stop appearing. I have since removed the light and just clear the message when i start the car until I can get a fix for it.

I have tried to hold in the trip button and turn the key to position 2 and wait for the beep but that failed to clear the message.

Anyone have any ideas or know how to fix this? I think this was caused by unplugging the trunk light unit with the battery connected maybe?

 

The switch for the light and tailgate open message is part of the tailgate latch. Has nothing to do with removing or disconnecting the trunk light unit.

"I have tried to hold in the trip button and turn the key to position 2 and wait for the beep" - what process you are explaining and what is that supposed to do?

 

That process it to clear the messages, or at least thats what I was told, might of just been the check engine message only though since the open trunk one didn't clear.

 

"wait for the beep" confused me, never have done that - yes reading "washer low"etc. will mute/temp erase them. "trunk open" is more serious and won't clear until the car thinks the trunk is closed. Tailgate wiring could be shorted/damaged, (twists every time cargo door is opened), bad switch in latch, REM problems could cause the trunk open warning
On the diagram 3/78 is the tailgate latch with the switch in it - the light is 10/173.

 

I dont think its the switch. I had pulled the drivers side off a bit to remove the trim around the glass on that side and along the top to run a wire then replaced them trunk closes perfect just odd its showing its open now.

 

Neither do I and I would not replace it until I proved it was bad - my first choice would be damaged wiring going to the tailgate where it bends.