pete
Tailgate Switch-Needed
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 73
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From: WILMINGTON,N.C.
Tailgate Switch-Needed
Anyone know where to get a tailgate switch, the one operated by the key. Mine will go up but is having trouble going down. It's for a 1989 Bronco, went by Ford and they want 150 bucks for it. Anyone got a good one for a decent price email me. I just can't see paying what Ford wants for it. If no one has one where is there an alternate resource for it. Thanks, Don
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Joined: May 2004
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The rear key switch is an integral part on the harness. You probably don't need the whole tailgate harness. Try a dash switch first for $16 from your local Ford dealer. The grounds for both switches go through the dash.
If your window works in one direction but not the other, your motor is good
If your window works in one direction but not the other, your motor is good
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,809
Likes: 3
From: Loveland, CO.
Yes - a bad dash switch will cause problems with the tailgate switch because the current runs through it first. I got a new one from Ford, it was around 20 bucks.
Try that first - if it is still bad, then check the rear. The rear can easily be cleaned up and made to work again, many times they just get a bunck of gunk on them and don't work right.
You can also take your dash switch apart and fix it - it's hard to actually explain it but if you take it out and pry the back off of the switch, it's pretty easy to figure out how to bend the tabs back into position. But if you bend them too far, then it will affect the rear switch by causing an open, and then the rear switch won't work at all but the dash will. If you attempt this, you will see what I mean.
I'm not trying to confuse you, but I kept my dash switch working this way for three years by re-bending the contacts in it until it finally got so worn out that I had to get a new one.
Try that first - if it is still bad, then check the rear. The rear can easily be cleaned up and made to work again, many times they just get a bunck of gunk on them and don't work right.
You can also take your dash switch apart and fix it - it's hard to actually explain it but if you take it out and pry the back off of the switch, it's pretty easy to figure out how to bend the tabs back into position. But if you bend them too far, then it will affect the rear switch by causing an open, and then the rear switch won't work at all but the dash will. If you attempt this, you will see what I mean.
I'm not trying to confuse you, but I kept my dash switch working this way for three years by re-bending the contacts in it until it finally got so worn out that I had to get a new one.
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 73
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From: WILMINGTON,N.C.
I replaced the dash switch about a year ago and it works fine, the tailgate switch will go down but not up. It's been getting kind of erattic for about a month now. Think I will try cleaning all the contacts in the tailgate first before buying the harness. I didn't know until last night this was all sold as one unit. Thanks guys for all the help. This Bronco Forum has saved me much money and head aches over the last year or so.
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Joined: May 2004
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Inside there are two buttons that the key switch pushes - one for up the other for down. They are operated by a lever moved when the key is turned.
Try opening the tailgate, latch the drivers side (so it thinks the tailgate is closed), put the window up a ways using the front switch, take the access panel off, then reach in and find the two buttons. If the button for going up works, your key latch may have turned in the tailgate and not be touching the up button. If the up button inside the tailgate doesn't work, check the connections to it and if it has buildup of gunk on/in it.
Hope that helps!
Try opening the tailgate, latch the drivers side (so it thinks the tailgate is closed), put the window up a ways using the front switch, take the access panel off, then reach in and find the two buttons. If the button for going up works, your key latch may have turned in the tailgate and not be touching the up button. If the up button inside the tailgate doesn't work, check the connections to it and if it has buildup of gunk on/in it.
Hope that helps!
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 73
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From: WILMINGTON,N.C.
Opened the tailgate and pushed the buttons on the switch by hand and will go down but not up am going to try and clean all connections in the tailgate this weekend and if that doesnt work guess will by a new harnes. I think it will be a safe bet by then the switch is gone. As far as the tailgate latch safety switch bypassed that a year ago. I checked the key latch and it is making contact with both buttons, it will start to go up about 2 inches and then quit. Thanks everyone for the ideas.
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