jay1028
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- August 6, 2004
- Messages
- 145
- Reaction score
- 4
- City, State
- N.E Florida
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 1996 XLT V8
After reading about others with dome light/door ajar problems, I had the same problem. I have read about how to get to the tailgate sensors in the 3rd gen but not the second gen 1995-2001 Explorers. After removing the tailgate interior panel, there are two access cutouts that allow you to get to the handle, lock solenoid and various linkage rods that go to the latches. It is extremely difficult to see how to disconnect the linkage from the latches to get to the sensors to repair or replace them. Since I don't care if the dome lights come on when the tailgate is opened, I disconnected the cabling from the sensors and used tie wraps to secure the loose connectors back on the cable harness. It is easy to get to and remove the sensor for the glass on the back. After finding out how to unlatch the connector from the sensor, you now know how to reach blindly into the tailgate and disconnect the sensors from each of the two latches and tie them off so that they don't rattle. The sensors report back a door is opened when there is closed circuit in the sensor. So if you disconnect the sensors, the computer thinks that the doors are closed. When the switches make contact, the doors are sensed as open. Now there is no more removing fuse #27 to turn off the interior lights, even though after 45 minutes, the computer shuts them off anyway. If I need a light on, I open a side door, as all the doors are still operational.
Hope this explains how the sensors work.
Jay
Hope this explains how the sensors work.
Jay
