[SilverAthlon]

Curious if there is a way that I can turn off interior lights on cue if a door is left open. My problem is that the interior lights will stay on for 20 minutes if any door is left open, after which they will auto-shut off. Manual does not state any clear way around this default operation.

For example, I went to a Drive-In movie a few weeks back, and left the back hatch open, and the interior lights would not turn off immediately unless I shut the tailgate. I did turn off the cargo lamp and the middle lamp, but the front map lights do not turn off until 20 minutes had expired. There is no switch in the driver console area as there are in many cars, which is very inconvenient.

 

[jpark]

On 2005-2007 E/M/Ts, you can install an inline switch to cut the entire interior lamp circuit. There's a single PINK wire running from connector C2280C on the Smart Junction Box, inside the front of the center console. You'll need to remove the center console to access the connector. It's on the driver-side of the SJB. You'll see two smaller connectors and two larger ones. It's the larger one toward the front of the car. Just cut the PINK wire and put a switch between the two cut wires.

Direct image link: http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg10 ... 007sjb.jpg

Here's the wiring diagram for 2005-2007 Escapes with a moonroof. The diagram is similar for models without a moonroof.

Direct image link: http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg10 ... rlamps.jpg

If you don't want to remove the center console, you can also find the PINK wire in the harness leading to the driver-side scuff-plate harness, circled in red below. Make sure that this is the only PINK wire in this harness.

Direct image link: http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg10 ... lamps2.jpg

2008 and newer E/M/Ts have interior lamp controls on the panel dimmer. Rotate it downward until it clicks to shut off interior lamps.

 

[SilverAthlon]

I was on vacation, thanks for the quick response!! What are the chances I can get a hold of an OEM dimmer switch from an 2008 model so I can have that functionality AS IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN...??

 

[SilverAthlon]

NVM i posted in the part number request.

 

[jpark]

You probably know that the wiring in the 2008+ models is totally different from the wiring in the 2005-2007 models. This part is no different, although you could still use the switch portion of the 2008's dimmer switch.

Here's the wiring diagram for the 2008+ dimmer switch, and the connector pinout.

Direct image link: http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg10 ... omesw2.jpg

Direct image link: http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg10 ... omesw2.jpg

If you cut the PINK wire and run the two ends to Pins 4 and 5 on the 2008 dimmer switch, you can at least rotate it until it clicks. But if I'm reading the positions correctly, it may operate in the opposite direction: all the way down to keep the interior lamps working, and any other position to cut them off.

You might be better off just wiring a rocker switch near the console, since no other part of the rotary dimmer can be used.