Rear Hatch Courtesy Light Switch (1 Viewer)

[Darwood]

Ok here is something that has been bothering me for a while. For the life of me (and some others) I can't find the switch that activates the courtesy lights for the rear hatch. It would be nice to know so I can figure out an easy way to turn off the courtesy lights, preventing the drain of battery (yes I know about the miracle of LEDs).

So how does this switch work? Magnets hidden in the tailgate?

I'm stumped.

 

[Vitesse_6]

I have wondered the same thing, I would like to hear how, Although mine work's perfectly
Cant you just turn the light switch to off?

 

[Darwood]

Well you can turn the dome light off, but the courtesy lights in the rear doors stay on.

 

[Vitesse_6]

Well you can turn the dome light off, but the courtesy lights in the rear doors stay on.

I see, I guess I never noticed, with kids the doors are always open while I unload the back.

 

[RavenTai]

according to the 96LX EWD (should be same for 97LC) the switch is located inside the rear lift gate, somehwere near the handle, must be controlled by the latch some how

 

[gbell210]

I see, I guess I never noticed, with kids the doors are always open while I unload the back.

Reason you haven't noticed is because in at least my 94(and I assume all others) there are no lights in the doors, just the overhead dome lights
When did they change that anyway? (in 95 when they changed the dash?)
-Gary

 

[cruiserdan]

The switch is contained within the latch in the upper gate. The assembly is bonded togther and can not be disassembled without destroying it.

D-

 

[boydmick]

The latch can be "closed" while hatch is open, thus turning off the interior lights. I use a stubby screwdriver to push the catch closed.

Just be sure to unlatch before closing the hatch or you will be reminded with a hard thunk!

 

[gbell210]

LOL boydmick.... I did that today, while running my CB antenna wire. I closed the latch on the hatch while open, and told myself to remember to just give the handle a tug before I closed it. Low and behold a few hours later when I closed it I didn't give it that tug so I got the thud. oops BTW I'll post some pics in another thread how I mounted my CB whip.

 

[Darwood]

Great, thanks all for the info. Using a screw driver to trip the latch is much easier than pulling the interior light fuse, which is what have done in the past while sleeping in the cruiser with the tailgate down.