Notices
1978 - 1996 Big Bronco  
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Rear Window?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 7, 2004 | 09:27 PM
  #1  
Gunpowderboy's Avatar
Gunpowderboy
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Rear Window?

Ok, I am sure this one has been answered many times, but here goes anyway. My tailgate on my 96 Bronco closes and seems secure. But, when I close the swing out spare the tailgate pulls out ever so slightly because of the added weight.

My question...I assume that there is some type of "sensor" that allows the window to roll up or down only when the gate is fully closed. If this is so, is there any way that I can by-pass this sensor? The gate is not pulling out much at all, so I do not think that if I roll up the window with it being out a hair, that it would affect it.

Any ideas on what to do or how to get the tailgate latch to stay "tighter" instead of pulling out?

Thanks.
 
Reply
Old May 7, 2004 | 09:45 PM
  #2  
BroncoWY's Avatar
BroncoWY
Junior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
The safety switch is located on drivers side latch after you take the access panel off. It is a simple matter to jumper the two contacts on it, but sometimes just cleaning and adjusting the latch will work.

If your window is not rolling up and down properly, it may also be the dash switch. Sometimes it will work going up and not down, or sometimes the dash switch can make the tailgate switch inoperable. That doesn't seem to make sense, but remember that the grounds for both switches go through the dash switch, amd it seems to get the most wear.

The dash switch is the easiest and cheapest part to change, before you go crazy trying to shoot voltages and swapping tailgate harnesses.
 
Reply
Old May 8, 2004 | 05:39 AM
  #3  
Gunpowderboy's Avatar
Gunpowderboy
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Maybe I should clarify this. The switch operates when and how it is supposed to. The problem is that the tailgate, with the added weight of the spare tire pulls out slightly. The gate has to be FULLY closed for the switch to operate. The gate is pulling out just a little bit.

In a nutshell...I just need the SAFETY part of the switch disabled so I can roll down the window, even though the window is not 100% lined up. It is about 99% lined up, so I don't think it would be a problem rolling the window down with it out of line a touch.
 
Reply
Old May 9, 2004 | 12:05 AM
  #4  
Superman_ManOfSteel's Avatar
Superman_ManOfSteel
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: South Texas, right on the border
You probably have done this but just in case...have you checked to make sure you have the tailgate is closed 'all the way'. i was having problems with mine but it turned out that i just had to give it a little more shove to close entirely. Maybe yours just needs to be fully locked into place. Just a thought, hope it helps.
 
Reply
Old May 9, 2004 | 09:57 AM
  #5  
Gunpowderboy's Avatar
Gunpowderboy
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
The problem is that the tailgate is NOT closing all the way. The added weight of the tire pulls out the tailgate ever so slightly causing the window not to operate. I know if I push on the tailgate that the window will operate. I just cannot get out and push on it going 65mph.

I JUST NEED TO FIND OUT IF I CAN BY-PASS THAT FEATURE THAT DOES NOT ALLOW THE WINDOW TO GO UP OR DOWN WHEN THE GATE IS NOT CLOSED ALL THE WAY.

Maybe I am not making myself clear...if so please let me know.
 
Reply
Old May 9, 2004 | 04:09 PM
  #6  
Mary_Kate_Olsen's Avatar
Mary_Kate_Olsen
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
From: Vermont, USA
Originally Posted by Gunpowderboy
I JUST NEED TO FIND OUT IF I CAN BY-PASS THAT FEATURE THAT DOES NOT ALLOW THE WINDOW TO GO UP OR DOWN WHEN THE GATE IS NOT CLOSED ALL THE WAY.
It is very simple to bypass the safty feature:

(1) Open the tailgate access panel.
(2) Find the wires leading into the tailgate on the driver's side.
(3) Follow the wire that leads to the driver's side tailgate-latch. You will see two wires plugged into that latch.
(4) Unplug them.
(5) Connect them together anyway you choose.
(6) Roll down the tailgate window and go eat some enchiladas. You are done!

The easest way to connect the wires is using about three inches of wire and two crimp on spade connectors. That way you can undo the bypass very easily if you ever wanted to. But stripping the wires and soldering, or using a wirenut will also work.
 
Reply
Old May 9, 2004 | 07:10 PM
  #7  
Gunpowderboy's Avatar
Gunpowderboy
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Thank you! Thats exactly what I wanted.
 
Reply
Old May 9, 2004 | 10:29 PM
  #8  
LEIGUY's Avatar
LEIGUY
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, Texas
chill out man, were all just trying to help....and even though they sound like stupid solutions weve all been there when it is something really dumb hanging us up...like not closing the tailgate all the way , and he was right....mine too takes a little more shove than i expected to fully close
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Totoro
1997 - 2006 Expedition & Navigator
3
Dec 4, 2008 12:18 PM
Hondovious
1978 - 1996 Big Bronco
6
Jan 20, 2006 09:07 AM
Wagion
1978 - 1996 Big Bronco
9
Oct 30, 2005 06:41 PM
devilstrip
1978 - 1996 Big Bronco
9
Dec 31, 2003 12:18 PM
rlp
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
4
Jun 6, 2003 08:29 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:50 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE