WD-40 did not fix the DOOR AJAR problem . . . any additional assistance?

[Andy(SC)]

We picked up a 2003 Expedition XLT with 55K on it. The dealer "neglected" to tell me about the DOOR AJAR light until all the paperwork was done and I was ready to leave (don't ask . . we bought it long distance and it seems like a dumb idea at this point with an A/C problem that has also arisen . . . but that's another story!)

I sprayed the locks on all 4 doors, the tailgate and the glass with WD-40 and then cycled them open and closed a number of times. The light stays on . . . . . if I have a bad sensor, is this a "do-it-yourself" problem or a "take-it-to-the-dealer and empty your wallet" problem? How do you narow down the bad door?

Is this the reason the interior lights stay on?

Thanks in advance

Andy

 

[chuck s]

You have a door ajar. If the computer thinks so it must be true.

Usually cleaning the door latch contacts fixes this, it did for my Explorer. With the door open the interior lights will also stay on for several minutes.

Let us know the solution, it's gotta be common but no one has answered your question here and the other similar one.

-- Chuck

 

[toocivil]

If the WD-40 did not fix the locks the dealer/stealer should. Most states, I'm in Wisconsin, have a lemon law. Its pretty much 3 months/3000 miles you have to find all the problems and have them fix them for you at their cost not yours. If they won't fix the locks and the AC for free report them to the better buisness bureau and threaten to contact an attorney. They have an obligation to you, as the buyer, to provide you with a vehicle with no mechanical problems when you buy it. The only way they could possibly get around it is if the vehicle was labeled as is when you bought it. Even then the your states lemon law should over rule what ever they had it labeled as.

 

[thereason21]

The only thing i can say is try again. I have seen it work more often than not. But maybe you have a bad plunger that tells the lights to stay on? Make sure it is not stuck in on one of the doors. My child locks engage on their own free will it is somehow related i do believe.

 

[Andy(SC)]

Any way to tell which door it is . . . is $350 a fair price to repair

I called the Ford dealer and he said that the DOOR AJAR problem was a real common one . . . makes you feel good no?

He said that it was a bad door switch and would be 2-3 hours of labor plus the part and figure about $350 to $400 for the repair.

Any thoughts on this price? Is there anyone with some tips on fixing it yourself?

Thanks

 

[thereason21]

Ouch, try the WD 40 thing again ... spray it ... open and close it 4-5 times then spray it again. I myself cant justify 400 bucks for that for that price i would buy the part and try myself it couldnt be that bad could it?

 

[toocivil]

If you recently purchased the vehicle, within 3000 miles, I would really press him on fixing the lock for nothing under your states lemon law if they have one. Otherwise try the wd 40 again. I use silcone spray on mine when the light comes on. It seems to work a little better than wd40. Another problem you may have is with rattling doors. This is due to the ****** factory door seals that ford puts on the vehicle. I pressed my local dealer enough to the point where ford paid to replace all but one of the seals. With a thicker silicone based type seal. I did the other one myself. Even after the couple of problems I have had myself I am still happy I bought the 2003 XLT that I did.

 

[Andy(SC)]

Will this result in a dead battery?

Did not get to try the WD-40 again thanks to the rain we've been getting . . . . . but did walk out to a dead battery this AM!

I turned the interior light dimmer switch to the full off position (all the way down) . . . will this keep the battery from draining down until I get the switch issue fixed?

This is a real frustrating issue especially if it is killing my battery now!

Thanks

 

[Patrick]

try pulling the fuse, looking at your maual it is fuse # 21. it is for the cluster and some other minor items. this should work untill you can figure out what the problem is

patrick

 

[jlw0211]

I am having the same issue. If you pull the fuse(#21) it also kills all your lites and the gauge cluster will not work. I pulled mine out last nite after the interior lites wouldn't go out, after watching them for 15min.

I have friends that work at my local dealership and they said that it is a common problem and that it is not that costly to fix. Not sure what you dealerships labor rate is.

 

[jlw0211]

Just got got my Exp. back from the dealership for the door adjar lite and it was the right rear door switch and my total was $146.00 for the switch and the labor. I am in Annapolis, Md.

 

[Andy(SC)]

Is this the part that's bad and how hard is it to get to?

Looked around for the culprit and came across this . . . not sure if this is the piece that is in the door that is causing the DOOR AJAR light to stay on but if it is, how hard is it to get to and replace?

http://replacement.autopartswarehou...gory=All&part=Door Open Warning Relay&dp=true

If anyone has a Chilton or other repair manual, does it have any cut-away schematics on the doors showing the relay?

Thanks

 

[johnnystar]

I would use contact cleaner or Isoproponal instead of WD. the alcohol in it cleans and evaporates. WD40 is not a real lubricant! I dont care what anybody says, it is temporary, and leaves behind a film, which over time will actually do damage. Especially if there is electronics involved.

But this is only my opinion.

 

[jlw0211]

Re: Is this the part that's bad and how hard is it to get to?

Originally posted by Andy(SC)
Looked around for the culprit and came across this . . . not sure if this is the piece that is in the door that is causing the DOOR AJAR light to stay on but if it is, how hard is it to get to and replace?

http://replacement.autopartswarehou...gory=All&part=Door Open Warning Relay&dp=true

If anyone has a Chilton or other repair manual, does it have any cut-away schematics on the doors showing the relay?

Thanks

That is not the part. I saw the part and it looks nothing like it. The part should be only like $40 from the dealer.

 

[Chris]

Man this forum has really helped me out alot I tried a silicon spray on all of my locks and the door ajar light went out I also cycled thru the lock and unlock. ANd the light went off. The dealer said that fixing this item was not under my extended warranty plan which hardly nothing ever is!!
thanks

 

[lakmflx]

Glade we could help!

 

[Chris]

Man door ajar switch came back on afer a day anymore suggestions please help with parts or something!!

 

[4x4Dude]

Have you tried resetting your ecu? unplug your negative battery cable for about an hour or so and plug it back in. Let it idle for a few minutes and see what happens.

 

[iRocco]

I wasted a half of a large can on the WD-40 thing. Then I took off the door panel and found the door ajar switch just hanging, the plunger broken off. So I pulled the switch and ordered a new one. Now I'm looking for a good diagram to work from. I would prefer good photos. I hate taking apart the latch but it's a pain to reach in with my big hands and the visibility isn't that good in there.

 

[GAINMOB]

there is a fix for this prob on this site...you will have to search "ajar" and go through all the threads to find it...