How To: Fix the Door Ajar Problem

[stpierre]

I will check my Shop Manuals & Wiring Diagrams and report back.

I got one thanks.


http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=373090&highlight=door+ajar

This is kicking my ass!!

I'm willing to give $ to the one that give's me the key hint. (payment will be paypal as a gift)

 

[BigRondo]

I got one thanks.


http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=373090&highlight=door+ajar

This is kicking my ass!!

I'm willing to give $ to the one that give's me the key hint. (payment will be paypal as a gift)

Roger that. Good luck!

 

[stpierre]

Roger that. Good luck!

This may help good find!

http://www.scribd.com/doc/14896076/2002-Explorer-Power-Locks-System-Diagnosis

 

[SeekerFor]

Door Ajar- WD40 versus Liquid Wrench

I have used WD-40 and I have used Liquid Wrench. The LW lasts a lot longer. Just had the transmission pooch out on mine. $2236.15 CDN later included a new harness and flywheel. Also you can get a rebuild kit for the front driveshaft for the CV joint.

 

[stpierre]

I have used WD-40 and I have used Liquid Wrench. The LW lasts a lot longer. Just had the transmission pooch out on mine. $2236.15 CDN later included a new harness and flywheel. Also you can get a rebuild kit for the front driveshaft for the CV joint.

I tested all of the 6 switch’s all tested good….
OK I’m lost here! Every door has power going to the switch’s and all of the negative’s are good.
That is a total of 6 switch’s. both front doors I pulled the boots back same thing all is good.
Then I pulled the kicker cover on the passenger side for a broken ground no all 3 are fine.

 

[BigRondo]

stpierre, I have looked back through this thread and I may have missed it. What exactly is the problem you are having?

 

[stpierre]

Door ajar light. I think I have it one of the back doors. I will keep you posted.

 

[stpierre]

Ok 100% sure the 2 back doors and the hatch or not working and I have no clue why!

I'm so lost right now....

 

[stpierre]

So all 3 doors are not working where should I look now?

 

[BigRondo]

Door ajar light. I think I have it one of the back doors. I will keep you posted.

Ok 100% sure the 2 back doors and the hatch or not working and I have no clue why!

I'm so lost right now....

So all 3 doors are not working where should I look now?

Have you checked for broken/damaged wires? Having said that:

I had similar electrical issues with my '02 XLT. The dome lights would stay on until the battery saver feature turned them off, the accessory delay wasn't working, the driver side puddle light didn't work, the keypad on the door would set off the alarm when I pressed it, the door ajar light would flash and beep at highway speeds, the radio would shut off as soon as I turned the key off, the alarm would beep twice when I armed it. Recently all 4 windows stopped working. Most recently the driver door lock actuator stopped working.

A lot of electrical issues can be traced back to broken/damaged wire(s) in the boot between the body and the driver's door. I found 3 broken wires and repaired them. The thin black ground wire was broken and after repairing it all was back to normal. When the windows stopped working, I repaired the thick black ground wire and the windows now work like a champ. I had to repair the pink/black wire to fix the driver door lock actuator.

Here is the thread for removing the door panel: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums//showthread.php?t=303524

Here is a great thread for checking for broken/damaged wires, thanks to synyster for this awesome write-up: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums//showthread.php?t=270081

Be sure to take your time when looking for broken/damaged wire(s). Check all the wires for breaks/damage. When you think you're done looking, look again, and again, and again. A bright flashlight can be very helpful.

 

[stpierre]

Have you checked for broken/damaged wires? Having said that:

I had similar electrical issues with my '02 XLT. The dome lights would stay on until the battery saver feature turned them off, the accessory delay wasn't working, the driver side puddle light didn't work, the keypad on the door would set off the alarm when I pressed it, the door ajar light would flash and beep at highway speeds, the radio would shut off as soon as I turned the key off, the alarm would beep twice when I armed it. Recently all 4 windows stopped working. Most recently the driver door lock actuator stopped working.

A lot of electrical issues can be traced back to broken/damaged wire(s) in the boot between the body and the driver's door. I found 3 broken wires and repaired them. The thin black ground wire was broken and after repairing it all was back to normal. When the windows stopped working, I repaired the thick black ground wire and the windows now work like a champ. I had to repair the pink/black wire to fix the driver door lock actuator.

Here is the thread for removing the door panel: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums//showthread.php?t=303524

Here is a great thread for checking for , thanks to synyster for this awesome write-up: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums//showthread.php?t=270081

Be sure to take your time when looking for broken/damaged wire(s). Check all the wires for breaks/damage. When you think you're done looking, look again, and again, and again. A bright flashlight can be very helpful.

I was working on it for 8hrs today no broken/damaged wires I wish it was that.I checked all of the grounds on all 6 switch’s. Tested all 6 switch’s all is good?
If I turn the key on and then turn it off so that when I open a door the radio turns off. Both front doors work. The two back doors and hatch when opened the radio stays on?

 

[stpierre]

what can be left to look at?

 

[BigRondo]

what can be left to look at?

Ok, I'm going to check my '02 shop manuals.

If I get you correctly:

Both front doors work as they should:

• When you first enter the vehicle via one of these doors, the interior light come on
• When you open one of these doors to exit, the radio goes off

Both back doors, the liftgate, & the liftgate glass do not work.

• When you operate one of these, the interior lights do no come on
• When the radio is accessory delay mode, operating one of these will not turn the radio off

Is this correct?

 

[stpierre]

Ok, I'm going to check my '02 shop manuals.

If I get you correctly:

Both front doors work as they should:

• When you first enter the vehicle via one of these doors, the interior light come on
• When you open one of these doors to exit, the radio goes off

Both back doors, the liftgate, & the liftgate glass do not work.

• When you operate one of these, the interior lights do no come on
• When the radio is accessory delay mode, operating one of these will not turn the radio off

Is this correct?

you got it! If you find a way to fix it I will send you $50 ok?

 

[BigRondo]

you got it! If you find a way to fix it I will send you $50 ok?

No money required. I like to help because I am a nice guy. :

 

[Nevea'sExplorer]

Ok, I'm going to check my '02 shop manuals.

If I get you correctly:

Both front doors work as they should:

• When you first enter the vehicle via one of these doors, the interior light come on
• When you open one of these doors to exit, the radio goes off

Both back doors, the liftgate, & the liftgate glass do not work.

• When you operate one of these, the interior lights do no come on
• When the radio is accessory delay mode, operating one of these will not turn the radio off

Is this correct?

you got it! If you find a way to fix it I will send you $50 ok?

I don't remember reading it though I might have but you did spray the latches and hinges down with WD40 or liquid wrench? Maybe try doing it again and seeing if you just where unlucky in freeing it up the first time around? Don't forget the liftgate and the liftgate glass.

 

[stpierre]

I don't remember reading it though I might have but you did spray the latches and hinges down with WD40 or liquid wrench? Maybe try doing it again and seeing if you just where unlucky in freeing it up the first time around? Don't forget the liftgate and the liftgate glass.

yes took all 6 out cleaned and lubed.

 

[Nevea'sExplorer]

yes took all 6 out cleaned and lubed.

Took all 6 switches out? Spraying is for the door latches and hinges not the internal switches. To spray you don't need to do anything other then open and close your doors and liftgates.

 

[stpierre]

Took all 6 switches out? Spraying is for the door latches and hinges not the internal switches. To spray you don't need to do anything other then open and close your doors and liftgates.

How is Spraying the door latches and hinges going to fix the door ajar light?

 

[BigRondo]

You say you took all 6 switches out, but did you test them for correct operation?

Here is the wiring diagram for the switches. You can see that the switch is closed when the door/liftgate/liftgate glass is closed:

I recommend working on 1 switch at a time.

This tells us is that when you disconnect the switch, the interior lights should come on:

• If the interior lights DO come on there is a problem with the switch.
• If the interior lights DO NOT come on then there might a problem with the wiring.

Here is a picture of the switch. Photo courtesy of borland. The old switch is on the left, new switch on the right. The plunger at the end of the switch opens and closes the switch and should operate freely:

Testing the switch:

• Verify that plunger operates freely.
• If plunger does not operate freely, try using WD-40 or similar to free up plunger. If plunger cannot be freed up, then replace switch.
• Once you have verified that the plunger is operating correctly, proceed to the next step.

Use a meter to test proper operation of the switch:

• Set the meter to continuity.
• Place the probes on each of the pins on the switch.
• Since the plunger isn't pressed in, the switch is open and there should be no continuity.
• Press in the plunger. This closes the switch and there should be continuity.
• If the switch does not operate correctly, replace the switch.