Zack:

If the switch is right at the light assembly, I feel really ignorant shocked ! As this can be the case.

I would drop by the dealer's Parts Dept and ask for the underhood light assembly for your model year. Then you can verify if there is a switch right inside it?

If so, you would need a new one, as the existing switch inside the light is defective!

The fact that subsequent model years, after 1996, don't come with this light suggests that they can be separately purchase to add on ? All you need is to find the predrilled hole to attach and the live and ground wire from the battery ?

Dave