Rear Hatch open, how to keep courtesy lights off? (1 Viewer)

[gofast]

Not sure if all models have them but my 97 has courtesy lights in the rear passenger doors. I like them and want to keep them but not have them activate when I have the rear hatch open. They drain the battery if you forget to close the hatch in the shop.

Can't seem to figure out where the switch is that triggers them when I open the hatch so they must be connected to the main overhead rear light.

Any one know how to fix this and yet keep the courtesy light active if I just open the passenger door?

 

[swankstar]

I recommend LEDs if the only reason you want them off is to keep the battery from draining. If there are other reasons that doesn't really help, but I know nothing about how to make electronics work the way you want them to.

 

[Malleus]

It seems as though all three rear door switches are on the same circuit, along with the overhead. The OEM circuit allows for one of three options, ON DOOR or OFF. It doesn't look like there's an option to isolate the rear switch, without modifying the circuit.

Here's the circuit diagram:

 

[Malleus]

So, to answer your question, you'd have to run a separate circuit form the rear hatch switch, to the doors in order to isolate them. Then you could flip a switch to make them function as the OEM circuit did, or your way.

 

[JohnVee]

I recommend LEDs if the only reason you want them off is to keep the battery from draining. If there are other reasons that doesn't really help, but I know nothing about how to make electronics work the way you want them to.

That's what I did on my LX. PFranLED's offers a simple kit. I guess you could also pull the bulbs you don't need (second row doors?) to lower the draw if keeping incandescents.

 

[secretasiansam]

I just stick a carabiner in the hatch latch when I want to keep it open for extended periods of time.

 

[FloydtheDog]

Not sure if all models have them but my 97 has courtesy lights in the rear passenger doors. I like them and want to keep them but not have them activate when I have the rear hatch open. They drain the battery if you forget to close the hatch in the shop.

Can't seem to figure out where the switch is that triggers them when I open the hatch so they must be connected to the main overhead rear light.

Any one know how to fix this and yet keep the courtesy light active if I just open the passenger door?

Simple fix - Take a bungee cord like one of these:

& snap one of the hooks it into the latch mechanism in the center of the open hatch.

To release, use either hatch handle & pull the bungee out.

 

[mingles]

Rear hatch switch mod??

The light control switch is integrated into the rear hatch latch. It is a simple ground/no ground one wire setup to the latch mechanism.

I inserted a toggle switch in that wire just before the latch mechanism and mounted the switch just behind the pull handle on the inside of the hatch. If you remove the hatch inside trim panel the mechanism is easily accessible. Flip the switch and the rear dome and door lights are off when the hatch is open.

The pull handle protects the switch from being bumped. A great mod for camping where someone else may not remember that you "latched" the latch, or stuck something in the latch, and attempts to slam the hatch closed before releasing the latch .

 

[carbon60]

I just stick a carabiner in the hatch latch when I want to keep it open for extended periods of time.

I was just going to suggest that. I posted the same question a couple years ago, and that was also the suggestion. Works great. You can also just push the latch in with anything stiff, like a pocket knife. But remember to unlatch it before closing the door, or you get a nasty noise!

 

[surfpig]

I just stick a carabiner in the hatch latch when I want to keep it open for extended periods of time.

Simple fix - Take a bungee cord like one of these:

& snap one of the hooks it into the latch mechanism in the center of the open hatch.

To release, use either hatch handle & pull the bungee out.

Plus it makes a handy lantern hook (so you don't forget to remove the carabiner/bungee.

 

[landcrshr]

It seems as though all three rear door switches are on the same circuit, along with the overhead. The OEM circuit allows for one of three options, ON DOOR or OFF. It doesn't look like there's an option to isolate the rear switch, without modifying the circuit.

Here's the circuit diagram:
View attachment 1578407

I just unplugged the "B6" connector in that diagram.

 

[Mountainpassing]

Yeah the quick route is a carabiner. I have several stashed back there and it seems to be just fine if i have to leave the lid up for any real amount of time.
Get the common, non-rated, generic,gimmick ones tho cuz none of my actual climbing rated biners will fit..then again I have a lot of odd-shaped rated ones so YMMV.

 

[Mountainpassing]

P.S attaching some kind of prusik or tail to them will help you to not forget it is there thus keeping you from slamming down the lid while the biner is being used! I am embarrassed to say how many hard slams i went thru b4 i did this.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Like other said the simple way

The Warn strap keeps you from forgetting you put the carabiner in place

On my 80 I went with the complicated set up - The switch is in the latch so I rewired added a red LED strip and a white LED strip on a Dimmer with a 3 position switch red-off-white and still operates when the hatch is opened

Pictured in red mode

 

[Mr Cimarron]

Like other said the simple way

View attachment 1578609

The Warn strap keeps you from forgetting you put the carabiner in place

On my 80 I went with the complicated set up - The switch is in the latch so I rewired added a red LED strip and a white LED strip on a Dimmer with a 3 position switch red-off-white and still operates when the hatch is opened

Pictured in red mode

No worries finding your camp spot in the dark. Now you just need a disco ball.

 

[I Lean]

Like other said the simple way

View attachment 1578609

The Warn strap keeps you from forgetting you put the carabiner in place

I have the EXACT setup on mine, same Warn strap even. It does NOT prevent me from trying to slam the hatch, however. It is supposed to...but evidently I can ignore the "red flag" pretty effectively.

 

[Mr Cimarron]

I have a 3’ flat strap dangling off my carabiner and still on several occasions shut it. The carabiner is the easiest/cheapest way to turn off the lights. When not in use the carabiner hangs off the attic rack so not to get lost.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I have the EXACT setup on mine, same Warn strap even. It does NOT prevent me from trying to slam the hatch, however. It is supposed to...but evidently I can ignore the "red flag" pretty effectively.

Drink less....or a lot more then you will forget to close it and just pass out. LCP always looking for an answer

Or go with the complicated rewiring and never look back

 

[chap79]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00900OHDC/ref=s9_dcacsd_dcoop_bw_c_x_10_w

 

[gofast]

Wow, Nicely done Gents. I have the led's in the doors so draw isn't that high, but I left my hatch open for about two weeks while the truck was apart for my latest storage remod.

I think I'm going the carabiner route, I have a few. Never occured to me!

Thanks and yes I like the disco red - keeps the bugs less curious too