Dome light ground + tailight wiring harness madness

[cpginkpt]

both dome lights + side door foot light work great on "manual", but nothing comes on when set to "door".

I have checked the slider door button/ground and it seems fine.

Is there also a tailgate ground, or another ground I should check?

ALSO - I found this rats nest on the left taillight area with 3 clipped wires plus some re-do work... and wondering if the dome ground should be connected here somewhere maybe (?)

OR what is this mess and should I bother fixing it (all tailights seem to work fine)

[originalkwyjibo]

The wire for the sliding door switch drops down out of the the body at the front of the rear wheel well and then runs along the body behind the sliding door step under the van. Mine was broken at the wheel well and behind the step causing similar problems to what you describe.
As far as your tail lights are concerned, is there a trailer hitch on your van? It looks like someone had a trailer plug wired in at some point. You could remove the scotchlocks and tape up the wires where they've been tapped into or de-pin the connector and slide some adhesive lined shrink tube over them for an airtight repair. Not sure about the two in your hand with the wire nuts though. Maybe speakers?

[cpginkpt]

will check the sliding door ground underneath.

No trailer currently, but bumper was missing when I got it, so very possible and I'll just go with the if-it-aint-broke....

Thanks.

[cpginkpt]

was snapped inside behind the step. Nailed it - thanks.