What is this? ...Original????

[AFChap]

Mounted inside the trunk on the driver side hinge area I find a push switch, much like a door light switch. When I push it, a buzzer/beep goes off up in the cockpit area, and it stops when the button is released. I have come up with no explanation for it being there. If it is an alarm for use in case someone manages to cram themselves into the trunk and close the lid, why not just make it a trunk release?

Is this thing original? ...and for what purpose?

[svo413]

It sounds like you located the interlock switch for the tonneau cover. You don't want to open the trunk with the tonneau cover up or you will chip the tonneau cover or the corners of the trunk lid.

Not aware of it being connected to a buzzer.

[AFChap]

I did some close examination of the switch. The mounting bracket is bent and missing one of two screws. If I were to bend it back into shape and re-secure it, it appears the driver side hinge would depress the button when I closed the trunk. That would cause the buzzer/alarm in the cockpit to sound. That doesn't make any sense unless it is somehow linked to the tonneau cover also so that if both the trunk and tonneau are open the switch is somehow depressed. I have not checked to see if both will open at the same time. I did get the trunk release cable to work after removing and remounting the end on the trunk latch.