Tailgating + Dome Light Question

[ExplorerBus I]

On my '96 XLT I'm trying to figure something out... how do you bypass the dome lights when you're going to have the lift gate open for an extended period of time???

 

[Doubt Incarnate]

i use my fingers, or better yet is a hitch pin and close the bear claws on the gate. it works for all the doors too, the switch is in the actual claw. just remember to pull the handle to re-open the claw before you shut it.

 

[ExplorerBus I]

Thanks a lot for the help, that's what I'll do then. I find it very odd that you cannot do this via a switch. First SUV I've come across this way...

 

[Silver X]

Mine shuts off automatically after a few minutes.

 

[Gatorblazer]

Same here

 

[ExplorerBus I]

Interesting...

 

[Turdle]

Rotate the thumb wheel ( cluster dimmer-dome off switch) to turn them off?

 

[joekd]

It does shut off after a minute or two of driving, I have driven that truck with the rear open a few times coming back form Home Depot

 

[ExplorerBus I]

It does shut off after a minute or two of driving, I have driven that truck with the rear open a few times coming back form Home Depot

At soccer practice the other evening we had it open for 15 mins and they were still on. I'm almost certain all other doors were shut properly, etc...

We'll see what happens next time.

 

[ExplorerBus I]

Rotate the thumb wheel ( cluster dimmer-dome off switch) to turn them off?

Does not quite have an "off" setting either...

 

[joekd]

At soccer practice the other evening we had it open for 15 mins and they were still on. I'm almost certain all other doors were shut properly, etc...

We'll see what happens next time.

Were you driving though? Parked they will stay on forever, driving they will shutoff after a minute

 

[KPT]

Rotate the thumb wheel ( cluster dimmer-dome off switch) to turn them off?

Earlier second gen's don't have that. If I had to guess I say it started with the 98's.

At soccer practice the other evening we had it open for 15 mins and they were still on.

The GEM delay is 30 or 45 minutes before it'll turn all the lights off.

 

[millerman23]

in my 99 i just roll the light wheel all the way down and it will click that will keep all the lights off if you open any doors. Great for drive in movies...

 

[ExplorerBus I]

in my 99 i just roll the light wheel all the way down and it will click that will keep all the lights off if you open any doors. Great for drive in movies...

Yeah, this is what I wish I had but do not. Going to have to use Doubt Incarnate's method. The reason I ask is that a bunch of us "tailgate" during our kids' soccer practice. If I wait 45 minutes for the lights to go out, it will almost be time to leave anyhow, lol.

BTW, thanks JL 3x12 for the info.

 

[Cobraguy]

Were you driving though? Parked they will stay on forever, driving they will shutoff after a minute

That's not right with my Explorers. Both mine have the "Battery Saver" feature. I thought they all did. The interior lights go off after a while. However, any time you open another door, it starts the timer all over again. I would probably do like was first mentioned and just close the latch while it's open.

 

[gijoecam]

Does not quite have an "off" setting either...

Earlier second gen's don't have that. If I had to guess I say it started with the 98's.

The GEM delay is 30 or 45 minutes before it'll turn all the lights off.

Correct on all three counts as far as I know.

That's not right with my Explorers. Both mine have the "Battery Saver" feature. I thought they all did. The interior lights go off after a while. However, any time you open another door, it starts the timer all over again. I would probably do like was first mentioned and just close the latch while it's open.

All second-gens had the battery saver feature. 45 minutes with the tailgate open isn't going to kill the battery if that's your concern.