I just recently answered a similar question, in fact my posted answer is on the
same page as your question. Page 7 of the Ford Explorer XLT - Q & A
It could be that the car is not sensing all the doors are shut-the 40 minute wait is a safety feature built into the car so that the battery is not drained if a door is left open. Check the switches in the doors to try to find a faulty one
Check the gauge cluster dimmer wheel switch just to the right of your headlight switch on your dash. If it is rotated all the way up, your courtesy lights will stay on . Is there also a door ajar light lit up in your guage cluster ? If so, one of your doors, liftgate, or liftgate glass is not shut properly or you have a sticking door ajar switch and your battery rundown protection system is shutting your courtesy lights off after the 40 minutes.
Either the light switch is set to have the interior lights on or one of your doors is not closing properly (or at least the sensor thinks it isn't closed).
If the Explorer is running engaging the parking brake is supposed to turn the daytime running lights off , otherwise the daytime running lights are supposed to shut off when the engine is shut off . I have a 2004, Eddie Bauer Explorer. On the light switch itself, there is a selection to turn on or off the day lights, as well as the extended, courtesy lights after ignition is turned off.
If you unlock your door using the remote , the courtesy lights come on inside , that's the way it is on my 1995 Ford Explorer ( also , when it is locked and I lift the drivers or front passenger door handle the courtesy lights will come on and then shut off after 20 seconds or so ) - if that is what you are referring to
where in the left fuse box ,interior courtesy lights, amp-color
Look in the fuse panel for a fuse which may be marked as "courtesy" or "courtesy lights". If you're unable to find it under that name, consult your owner's manual or a dealership for info on this. You can pull that fuse, and it'll keep the interior lights from coming on when the doors are opened.
There should be a switch that has three positions, one position to have the courtesy lights come on only when doors are opened, another position to turn courtesy lights off completely and another position to have courtesy lights stay on continually.
Just to the right of your headlight switch on your dash is a gauge lighting dimmer wheel switch . If this is rotated all the way down , the courtesy lights will not come on with the door open ( also , it it is rotated all the way up - the courtesy lights will come on with the door closed )
they are called opera lights
Lights inside the car. Dome light, courtesy light, etc.
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I think it might be for your courtesy lights.