Jeep Repair: Interior Dome Light, cherokee police, jeep cherokee

Question
I have a 1996 4 Dr Jeep Cherokee Police Special that when I open either of the front doors, the dome light does not come on. I push on the plunger switches and nothing happens. However I can turn the dome light on with the lights switch. Do you think it's something in the wiring? And if it is, where do I look to check the wiring?
Also, there is a 3 prong electrical wire that is attached to something and the wire is coiled up and setting near the engine. What the heck is that for???

Thanks for your help!
Jim

Answer
Most vehicle that are setup for police use have the door jab switches disconnected so the interior light do not come on when the doors are opened. You can verify this by removing one of the switches. If it does not have any wires attached to it then you'll need to fish the wires out and reconnect them. As far as what that connector in the engine compartment is, I cannot say with any certainty. Most vehicles have extra connectors as part of their hiring harness. Whether they are used or not depends on the option packages. In your case it very well may be that it was something related to it's prior use as a police vehicle.