What fuse powers the Bronco tailgate window circuit?

Fuse 12 in the fuse panel, a 20A circuit breaker (C.B.), on a circuit that is hot at all times. The dash switch also receives circuit 400 LB/BK, which is hot in ACC or RUN, from the power windows circuit.

What wire colors control the tailgate window up and down functions?

Circuit 404 PU/LG carries 12V for UP and circuit 405 PU/LB carries 12V for DOWN, running through the frame wiring harness to the tailgate connector. At the motor, 333 Y/R–Y is 12V (UP) and 334 R/Y–R is 12V (DOWN).

What does the tailgate latch switch do in this circuit?

The tailgate latch switch (at connector C428, circuit 407 T/BK) is open when the tailgate is not fully closed, interrupting the circuit so the window can only operate with the tailgate fully closed.

What is the pinout of the '87-96 dash tailgate window switch (C274)?

Pin 1: 57 (BK), Pin 2: 405 (PU/LB), Pin 3: 400 (LB/BK), Pin 4: 404 (PU/LG), Pin 5: 57 (BK).

Where does the tailgate window circuit ground?

Ground circuit 57 BK runs to ground points G201 (dash side, via splice S207) and G400 (tailgate/rear side).

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Ford Bronco Tailgate Window Wiring Diagram - Circuit, Connectors & Wire Colors

Bronco tailgate window circuit diagram with color-coded wires, switches and motor

Tailgate Window Circuits
IF THE IMAGE IS TOO SMALL, click it.

The dash switch shown is '87-96 style. '78-86 have only 1 black wire, which splits internally so that it works the same as what's shown.

The most-common t/g window problem isn't even in this circuit. It's neglect of the t/g hinges, which cause misalignment resulting in the '83-96 latch jaws chewing the PVC sleeves off the strike bolts, making the latches NOT close fully. That's what the latch safety switch is designed to detect, and it DOES, so it prevents the window motor from running. Before hacking your t/g harness or jumpering across the latch switch wires, try repairing/replacing the hinges, aligning the t/g to the body, and replacing the strike sleeves so everything works right.

In '78-82 tailgates, the strikes are smaller, and there's only 1 jaw per latch, and the safety switch is mounted centrally, making diagnosis slightly harder. But the underlying cause is still usually neglect - NOT failure of any switch.

Less-common problems include wires breaking near the hinge due to flexing, dirty connector terminals (usually at the motor connector), and wiring harness hackery by those unfamiliar with the circuit.

See also:
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Owner caption November 2025 · Photo 0 of 5000

This document is a wiring diagram for the Ford Bronco tailgate power window circuit. It traces power from the fuse panel (fuse 12, a 20A circuit breaker, hot at all times) and from the power windows circuit (hot in ACC or RUN, circuit 400 LB/BK) through the dash tailgate window switch, the frame wiring harness, and the tailgate connector to the key-operated tailgate window switches, the tailgate latch switch (open when the tailgate is not fully closed), and the tailgate power window motor. Wire circuits and colors are labeled throughout, including 404 PU/LG (12V UP), 405 PU/LB (12V DOWN), 517 BK/W, 171 BK/W, 333 Y/R and Y, 334 R/Y and R, 407 T/BK, 186 BR/LB (rear window defrost feed to C310/C311 and grid), and ground circuits 57 BK to grounds G201 and G400. Connectors identified include C274 (dash switch), C205 (firewall), C418, C428, C429, C310, C311, and splices S207, S237, S423. An inset shows the '87-96 dash switch (C274) pinout with pins 1–5 and their circuits. Related systems noted as sharing circuits include ESOF transfer case control, power door locks, power lumbar seats, and rear window defrost.

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Frequently asked questions

What fuse powers the Bronco tailgate window circuit?: Fuse 12 in the fuse panel, a 20A circuit breaker (C.B.), on a circuit that is hot at all times. The dash switch also receives circuit 400 LB/BK, which is hot in ACC or RUN, from the power windows circuit.
What wire colors control the tailgate window up and down functions?: Circuit 404 PU/LG carries 12V for UP and circuit 405 PU/LB carries 12V for DOWN, running through the frame wiring harness to the tailgate connector. At the motor, 333 Y/R–Y is 12V (UP) and 334 R/Y–R is 12V (DOWN).
What does the tailgate latch switch do in this circuit?: The tailgate latch switch (at connector C428, circuit 407 T/BK) is open when the tailgate is not fully closed, interrupting the circuit so the window can only operate with the tailgate fully closed.
What is the pinout of the '87-96 dash tailgate window switch (C274)?: Pin 1: 57 (BK), Pin 2: 405 (PU/LB), Pin 3: 400 (LB/BK), Pin 4: 404 (PU/LG), Pin 5: 57 (BK).
Where does the tailgate window circuit ground?: Ground circuit 57 BK runs to ground points G201 (dash side, via splice S207) and G400 (tailgate/rear side).