2003 Explorer dying a slow death

[Darkeru]

Recently my X has been in the shop a lot and more problems appear to be coming up. My water pump and thermostat housing just sprung a leak on me which it's in the shop for right now and I just noticed a couple new electrical problems.
-Battery drain somewhere (kinda fixed with an Optima Yellow top)
-Keypad doesn't work sometimes
-driver side lock button doesn't work if the dimmer switch is on
-power doesn't remain on when I turn off the truck
-door ajar light comes on then goes away after a few minutes
-if I turn the dimmer switch all the way up, there's a ding and the door ajar light comes on until i turn off the dimmer

I've read other post with these exact symptoms but with different solutions. I check the wires in the door elbow but they look fine, I don't really know how to check the instrument panel module. Anyone have any ideas as to narrow down the problem, I really don't want to pay the dealer any more to diagnose the problem. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[BigRondo]

I had similar electrical issues with my 02 xlt. The dome lights would stay on until the battery saver feature turned them off, 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, 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). 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

 

[Darkeru]

Thanks for all the info. Unfortunately my X officially bit the dust a couple of days ago. Somehow my block cracked, luckily I found someone who is putting in a fresh donor engine relatively cheap. Maybe that darn gremlin in the door will get fixed in the overhaul.

 

[BigRondo]

Thanks for all the info. Unfortunately my X officially bit the dust a couple of days ago. Somehow my block cracked, luckily I found someone who is putting in a fresh donor engine relatively cheap. Maybe that darn gremlin in the door will get fixed in the overhaul.

Don't count on the gremlin fixing itself!

Good luck with new engine install!