Interior lights shutoff

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Aug 24, 2006 | 09:37 PM

puppypower

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From: Nottingham, MD

Interior lights shutoff

I know the lights have a time delay to shutoff when the doors are shut. My question is, is there a way to shut off the lights when the rear door or glass window is open for a long period of time? Its not too fun fending off bugs at a drive-in movie at night with the kids.

My idea was to put a toggle switch inline with the interior light circuit to kill the lights when needed. I just wanted to put this out here to see if anyone had a better idea.

Oh yeah one more thing. The ignition switch was in acc to allow use of the radio. Thanks for the help.

Aug 24, 2006 | 09:56 PM

PAPPYBALL

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Not sure about other years but on mine, (2003) all you do is spin the dimmer switch all the way in the down position. It will click when all the way in the down position similar to when you turn your interior lights on by spinning the dimmer up, and it will shut all interior and courtesy lights off no matter what doors are open.

Aug 25, 2006 | 07:38 AM

puppypower

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From: Nottingham, MD

Thanks for the reply. I have aready tried the dimmer switch. It would be nice if mine functioned that way but it doesn't. I have a 2001 xlt 4.6l 4x4.

Aug 25, 2006 | 07:45 PM

EagleDakota

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From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

My 2000 EB has a "battery saver" trick. If the doors are left open for 20 minutes, the lights go off.

Aug 25, 2006 | 09:04 PM

puppypower

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From: Nottingham, MD

The lights stayed on the entire movie. I hoped they would shut off after a short while. But they didn't. I think because the switch was in acc position, it allowed the lights to stay on. I will figure something out this weekend.

Aug 26, 2006 | 11:00 AM

amm888

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From: Woodland Hills

puppypower, i believe there was a rather indepth thread about someone putting in a toggle switch for the same exact reason as you: trying to watch a drive-in movie. i can't recall the details, but maybe a search under "drive-in" will bring it up.

al

Aug 26, 2006 | 11:04 AM

amm888

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From: Woodland Hills

check these out:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...r-gate-up.html

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/2...nterior+lights

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Aug 27, 2006 | 08:56 AM

puppypower

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From: Nottingham, MD

Finished wiring in the switch. Was no problem getting it in. I put it in the rear arm panel where the seatbelt attaches to the frame on the driver side. The panel had a flat spot right under the seatbelt anchor, like it was made for a switch. Everything works perfect. Thanks for the help. Chris

Aug 31, 2006 | 10:58 PM

#10

austinjorg

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From: Round Rock, TX.

I would just like to know where there is still a drive-in movie!

Sep 1, 2006 | 08:59 PM

#11

puppypower

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From: Nottingham, MD

Up in the northeast. It's pretty cool. You get two shows for the price of one in a regular movie theater. So I was fighting bug for 4 hours, that sucked. Plus I was the only idiot with my lights on. I felt like I was standing out like a sore thumb.

Sep 14, 2006 | 07:08 PM

#12

Daviddc114

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From: North Providence, RI

does this fix work for both the rear door and glass or just the door itself???

Sep 14, 2006 | 08:03 PM

#13

puppypower

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From: Nottingham, MD

It worked for the glass and door. So you can run around with the rear window up.

Sep 17, 2006 | 10:16 AM

#14

Daviddc114

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From: North Providence, RI

heyy??? I looked at the wire harness in the drivers side pillar.. at the bottom behind the seatbelt and i did find 2 harnesses, a small one and a large one on the bottom.. the small one is the only one in the door pillar.. there was no purple and white wire?? Could it be a different wire???
i have a 2000 eddie bouier 4X4

Sep 18, 2006 | 02:50 AM

#15

Daviddc114

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From: North Providence, RI

never mind... got confused because everyone was calling it drivers side pillar when actually it was the drivers side rear quarter trim... all good... hooked it up, works awsome!!