1998 Windstar Interior Light Control

[uehrenbe]

Hello, on a family camping trip I drained my battery by leaving the rear hatch open too long. It is convenient to leave it open for a variety of reasons (i.e. access to supplies, listen to radio, etc.). Is there any way to turn off the interior lights while keeping the rear hatch open? I could not find the sensor/switch to "trick" the vehicle into thinking the rear hatch was closed. After getting a boost and recharging my dead battery, I removed the fuse for the interior lights but other accessories lost power also and it is a bit of a twist and crawl to get to the fuse. Any suggestions?

[12Ounce]

I have had the same experience on my '99. Then someone pointed out that the roll-switch on the instrument panel that adjusts the interior light level has a second "click" on the bottom ... this shuts down all door lights pretty effectively.