MODULAR LATCH

A modular latch for an automotive vehicle is provided. It includes a latch core (a housing and a ratchet and pawl rotatably mounted to the housing), a mounting plate that secures the latch core to the vehicle. The latch cure can use any of a plurality of different mounting plates for a lift gate latch, a decklid latch, and a sliding door latch; A latch module is mounted to the latch core to provide different functional including a manual release latch module, a power release latch module, a power lock and unlock latch module, and a power cinching and release latch module. The latch cure may fit a more or less universal envelope. The latch may employ one or more status sensors. Those status sensors may sense striker position, and may not necessarily include any sensors mounted to monitor ratchet position. The latch may include a layered latch core in which one or more sensor members move in different planes from the pawl and ratchet.