Bent driver's door and fender frame.

[micapeak]

The previous owner of my '93 Aerostar had an unfortunate whooops, when he opened the drivers' door while backing up. He caught a snow bank, and damaged the door and fender frame... Now, I can enter and close door ok, but the door ajar light stays on??? Also, is there supposed to be a buzzer to warn you if you leave the head lights on? The previous owner has passed on, so I can't ask if that was disconnected.

 

[micapeak]

I guess what I should say is where is the "sensor" or switch that makes the "Door ajar" light come on located?

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! There is a pin switch on the frame which comes into contact with the door. The buzzer or chime module is under the dashboard near the steering column.

 

[FORDBOYpete]

micapeak,
Their's a piezo alarm module, in fact same alarm & tone that sounds before your ECM initializes when you start your engine, or when you leave a key in ignition & door open.

My guess is either somebody pulled Piezo alarm module out to stop it from sounding all the time because it queues off same switch as interior lights & door ajar lite does, OR it burned out because he didn't pull it out to quiet it._ _

Forgive me for asking please, but why don't you pull that damage back into alignment so your door and all it connects to, works correctly as it should ?
If you're not capable of doing it, try to get a body repair shop or body person to alteast realign the thing so it's safe & workable ?

I'm not saying totally repair it all, just realign it & solve all your problems at one time.

CIAO

FBp

 

[micapeak]

Bent door

FORDBOYpete,
Thanks for your info. Yes, I've been looking in the bone yard, and have found a door on a 93 which is the same color as mine. Someone has done some excavation into the innards, but when the weather gets a bit better, I think I'll pull it, and then do a swap with what ever works on mine. Then all I need to do is get the fender part fixed/straightened. Sure wish I knew what the past owner has done to this van.
CIAO!

 

[micapeak]

FORDBOYpete,
Where exactly is that alarm located? Is that the same thing as the chime module? Brooklynbay says that is located near the steering column. Now have to find out what these look like, so I know what I'm looking for

 

[micapeak]

Brookynbay,
I tried to wiggle that, but it does not change the problem. Have not had time to look for that chime module, maybe tomorrow. Glad I have a garage to work in, cause its going to snow and get cold.

 

[FORDBOYpete]

micapeak
It's behind a removable lower panel under the inst' cluster in dashboard that hides lower mast jacket of steering column. If the steel support channel gets in your way it is easily removeable at both ends. After removing panel, look up to left behind instrument cluster on inner body panel above driverside wheel housing & toe-board. Piezo is a round module in harness terminal block where flashers CVRs & fuses are plugged in.

A good LED Flashlight is a real help, and so is diagram in Owners Manual that came from FoMoCo when Aerostar was a newbie. If you see an image of one your's will be easier to spot when you're looking for it. Also screws holding panel in place may not always all be the same, so note which goes where, it saves you time & nerves later.

You folks have been having a rough go of it lately out there. We have been freezing more this year in December more that any time since they have been keeping records. We do not get snow & freezing rain usually.

A few freezing nights are one thing. But our avg temperature for December 2010 is 52.3*F. Our usual Avg December Temp is 68.4*F. Price of Oranges are going up. I have them dropping off my citrus trees & I scraped Ice off my windshield more than a few times this month.

I live close to Daytona Beach. I can't believe people are walking on beaches when temps in low 40's ambient & low 30's with a windchill factor. It's unreal.

Good luck with your salvage yard door plan, it's the way to do it IMHO.

CIAO

FBp

 

[FORDBOYpete]

micapeak
If you're serious about your Aerostar it pays to spend a few bucks for a good manual. None of them are up to a "genny" FoMoCo Service Manual, but they will give you a pretty good "road map" of your Aerostar. I found a Haynes Repair Manual in an Aero I bought for parts after floors & frame rotted out.

It was from New York State where they salt their roads in winter. It hardly had any miles on it, but everything was rusted tight. I cut and broke more fasteners than I removed using a wrench or socket to take it apart & strip it. Anyway a Haynes Repair Manual gets you acquainted with things pretty well.

As far as knowing what late owner did in the past, forget it. What matters is from now on. That's where the manual comes in handy for most general type
repairs & maintenance procedures. Also a lot of good background info about where what is located, and what order or how to take things apart etc. etc.
There's a lot of great information & folks right here in this forum also.

CIAO
FBp

 

[micapeak]

Well, I replaced the door finally. The overhead dome light goes off, and the chime stops when the door is closed. When I exit the van, you can hear the relay click when the light goes off.
However, when I get in the van, close the door, and start the car, the "door ajar" light is still lit in the dash. What do I need to do to get that to shut off?

 

[BrooklynBay]

Did you check the two contacts on the sliding door? The metal tabs, and the internal wire connection causing a door ajar light is a common issue on these vans.

 

[micapeak]

Thanks for the reply. Will check that area out. Thought since the damage was by the driver door, that something there had to be goofed up. Will get a look at the slider, and see what happens.

 

[micapeak]

Ok, here's the question. There are 4 metal buttons in vertical row. They have corresponding metal buttons on the door post. Below those is a steel probe, mounted at an angle inwards. This evidentally goes into a circular device on the door post. Below that is a plastic button, about the size of a quarter, which controls the dome light on and off. Which of the 4 contacts control the door ajar?

 

[BrooklynBay]

The upper two contacts are for the door ajar circuit. The lower two contacts are for the power door lock. The pin switch is for the dome light.

 

[micapeak]

Thanks again!! Noticed some wear on those contacts, but could it be a loose wire in the door or door post?

 

[BrooklynBay]

Use a continuity tester on the upper two connectors on the sliding door.

 

[micapeak]

BrooklynBay,
Thanks for your help. I did look at those contacts. They had continuity, but I wanted to see what was what, so pried one out. Saw how the wires just looped from top to the next down. While I was examining these contacts, I noticed how they were attached. Figured out that all I had to do was insert a small screw driver under the loose side of the "button" shaped top, to lift it a bit off the rubber.
TA DA, NO MORE " DOOR AJAR" LIGHT!!! Again, thanks for your direction and help. Now on to my speedomter problem to try to solve that!

 

[BrooklynBay]

Thanks for the update! I have to do that on my van occasionally.