Disabling interior lights?

[LAWDOGKMS]

How can I disable the interior lights, so I can open the back hatch on my 97 Eddie Bauer, at the campsite.

This way, I can listen to the radio, without running 3 interior lights, and running the battery into the dirt.

On older cars, you could just remove the plunger button on the hatch, but I can't find one here..

Any suggestions??

Thanks in advance

 

[mrboyle]

The easiest way to do this is to remove the fuse for the lights. Your owner's manual has a diagram of the fuse block and a description of what each fuse is for. Pull the fuse for camping and put it back when you are ready to go.

 

[ok89]

turn the dimmer switch all the way down and the lights dont work when you open the doors.

 

[BadEgg]

Just flip the latch on the right side. The thing that latches to the striker when u close the hatch.

 

['96explorereddiebauer]

Originally posted by ok89
turn the dimmer switch all the way down and the lights dont work when you open the doors.

ok89, that feature was introduced in '98, unfortunately. Ford should've done this starting in '95. If you want the interior lights to turn off with the liftgate open, the only way is to latch the door. but REMEMBER to unlatch it before you shut the door.

 

[Bill Kemp]

Ask O.J.

 

[Alec]

1) the interior lights should shut off after 40 mins until you open another door.

2) on my 96, it is fuse 27 in the interior fuseblock, pulling it is very easy.

 

[Robert]

On my '97 the easiest way was to flip one of the latches closed when I sat in the back to wath the fireworks earlier this year. I thought it was the left one that I flipped but another one mentioned the right one. It only takes one though, so you might have to try both until you get the right one. Be sure and turn the handle to pop the latch back open before closing it or it will make a nasty cruch. That was easier than pulling the fuse. As you lift up on the hatch, flip the latch. When you go to close it, turn the handle. I wonder if the dimmer switch from a '98 would interchange with mine from my '97? Anyone know how much the dimmer switch costs and what connections it has?