Go to your trusty '02 and open the hood.  Over on the outside edge of
the passenger's side of the engine compartment, between the air cleaner
and the coolant expansion tank, is a switch.  It is in a rubber
bellows/boot, and it is activated (pressed) when the hood is closed.

What is this?  I always sort of mindlessly assumed that it controlled an
under-hood light - until last night, when I noticed there is no
under-hood light.  Is it part of the anti-theft system?

Thanks

Bill