Tailgate Safety Interlock Switch

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Dec 14, 2003 | 02:43 PM

Wakeboarder141

Thread Starter

Elder User

Joined: Mar 2003

Posts: 687

Likes: 0

From: Medford, OR

Tailgate Safety Interlock Switch

After having to remove my tailgate access panel to manually get the rear window down twice now, I would like to find some way to bypass the safety switch completely. I remember hearing something about this a ways back, but could not find the thread. If anyone can describe to me the process of jumpering that connection so it always thinks that tailgate closed I would appreciate it. Thanks.

Dec 14, 2003 | 04:34 PM

89BroncoResto

Junior User

Joined: Oct 2003

Posts: 71

Likes: 0

From: Greensburg, PA

Grab a piece of wire (10 or 12 Gauge will work fine) and crimp 2 male spade connectors on the ends. You'll only need about 2" of wire. Then remove the connector from the switch, and insert the piece of wire into the connectors. You're done!
Good luck!

Dec 14, 2003 | 08:18 PM

Wakeboarder141

Thread Starter

Elder User

Joined: Mar 2003

Posts: 687

Likes: 0

From: Medford, OR

I'm still a little lost as to what to do with the wire. You are referring to the connector that I have to disconnect to manually make the motor engage? Which end of the two connectors am I dealing with? If you could dumb it down just a bit I would appreciate it

Dec 14, 2003 | 08:53 PM

89BroncoResto

Junior User

Joined: Oct 2003

Posts: 71

Likes: 0

From: Greensburg, PA

The safety switch wiring is near the key switch ( I think it's on the latch inside the tailgate). If you locate the wiring to the key switch, the wiring for the safety switch is very near to it. This connector (I think mine was rectangular) has 2 female spade connections on one side, and the mating end sould be bolted(?) to the gate. Disconnect this switch (be sure it's not the keyswitch) and jumper across the female ends using the jumper wire. You should then be able to use the key switch to open and close the window with the tailgate down (that's the test... but be careful not to bend the glass, only open the window enough to prove it works).

Your problem may not even be the safety switch. Have you tried the key switch and the dash switch? Check those connections and clean them if necessary. If the window does not work with either switch after bypassing the safety switch, then one of the other switches are probably bad or need cleaned.

Good luck... It took me 3 days to find and fix this problem when I had it (I had no idea where to look, or if there was a safety switch!)

Dec 14, 2003 | 08:59 PM

Wakeboarder141

Thread Starter

Elder User

Joined: Mar 2003

Posts: 687

Likes: 0

From: Medford, OR

The switches work fine because after I get the tailgate open and closed all the way again, both the key and the button work fine everytime. It only happens when I neglect to close the tailgate completely and then roll the window up. So I am jumpering from one end of the female connector to the other terminal on the female connector, essentially attaching the two wires on that end of the wiring harness together? Wouldn't it be easier just to cut the female connector thing out and just twist the two wires together if that is what I am doing? Or am I still misunderstanding it? Thanks!

Dec 14, 2003 | 09:02 PM

89BroncoResto

Junior User

Joined: Oct 2003

Posts: 71

Likes: 0

From: Greensburg, PA

I'd never suggest cutting the plug off, but that's essentially what you're doing. If you go that route, make sure that the wires are tightly wrapped in electrtical tape to make sure that they don't come apart and short out (or worse, cause the problem again!). The jumper is pretty hard to jostle loose, and is not permanent should you decide to replace the switch at a later date.