Door ajar question Explorer 2002 XLT

[n452mk]

Hi guys here is my question:

Since i had my explorer xlt 2002 i been having some issues with the door ajar, is always showing on, even when i make sure all doors are 100% close, also i dont know how to make my interior lights turn on when i open any door, please any suggestions or anything i can check around the doors to fix this issue please

 

[BigRondo]

Welcome aboard n452mk!

As far as the interior lights, check your dimmer switch (red Arrow). This is the dimmer for the dash lights. If you rotate it all the way down until it clicks, the dash lights and interior lights will be off even if the doors are open. If you rotate it all the way up until it clicks, the dash lights and interior lights will be on even if the doors are closed. The position in-between is for dimming the dash lights.

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 delayed accessories didn't work, etc. Most recently all 4 windows 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 2 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.

Could also be related to the door ajar switch.

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/replacing the door ajar switch, thanks to borland for the awesome write-up: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=249253

That is a great write up.

On a side note, before going through a complete replacement of the switch, you can spray WD40 into the door latch opening on each door, as these become stuck sometimes....and this can alleviate the issue.

This worked for me, after going for more than a year of the "door ajar" light coming on occasionally...mainly after a car wash, high humidity, or rain....making me unable to lock/arm the vehicle from the door keypad and keeping the dome lights on. Worth a try....it worked for me

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.

Hope this helps out. :biggthump Be sure to keep us posted!

 

[n452mk]

should i put the light switch all the way to the left side???

 

[BigRondo]

should i put the light switch all the way to the left side???

The switch on the left is for the headlights. It has no bearing on the interior lights. The rotary wheel that the red arrow points to is the dimmer for the dash lights. That's what I was talking about.

 

[Jaxjoradam]

I had the same problem and I fixed it with some WD-40...Just spayed it in the door catch. Haven't seen the light in over a year..