Turning on lights by opening the tailgate.

[woodychitwn]

When I remote-unlock my doors, the interior lights turn on, which makes sense. And as long as one of the doors stays open, they stay that way. However, when I open the glass portion of the tailgate, the lights time-out and shut off. But as constant a neusance as this is, I hadn't given it much thought, besides the idea of mounting a switch on one of the side panels, to turn the lights on.

To make a long story short, I found out this weekend that the rear window wiper will not work when the glass is open. Which means there has to be a sensor. And where there's a sensor, there's the possibilty of wiring a relay to use that sensor to turn my interior lights on.

My question is, has anyone done this, or knows where this sensor is? I'm thinking it's built in to the latch, but am just guessing. Any help is appreciated.

 

[zensius]

I believe the switch is built in to the latch on the driver's side.

 

[woodychitwn]

If I have time this weekend, I'm going to open up the tailgate and see what I can find. Is anyone else interested in knowing how it's done, assuming I get it done?

 

[Ray Lobato]

Don't forget to take lots of pictures of everything you do, i.e how to take of the covers etc. This would be very good info.

 

[Bruce Rock]

I've got the cover off mine now. There is a small, about the diameter of a nickel and about 3/8 inch thick rotary switch that is on the inside end of the tailgate handle. When I saw it I was wondering what it was for. An interlock for the wiper makes sense. I'd show pictures but my wife using it now.

 

[Bruce Rock]

Oops

"that is on the inside end of the tailgate handle"
I was wrong, the switch is mounted on the center latch for the window, not the tailgate handle.