door ajar light switch

[mrossirr]

How do you replace the door ajar light switches in the rear lift gate ?
99 Ex Sport
Thanks in advance, Mike

 

[Ray Lobato]

The whole latch machanism has to be replaced, as the light switch is part of the latch machanism.

 

[DeRocha]

For a temp solution you could just remove the wire connector from the latch mechanism. This would take the rear hatch out of the door adjar loop...

 

[mrossirr]

How do I disarm the switches?

 

[mrossirr]

Ray and DeRocha -Thanks for the replies. Do I take the latch itself out to replace or unplug these switches or do I take the interior trim off ? Also I heard that both latches on each side of the lift gate have the switches ,is this correct ? One more question - what are the two spring loaded plastic pieces at the bottom corner of each side of the liftgate ? Thank You

 

[DeRocha]

The spring loaded guides on each side of the body cradle the hatch to ensure it closes evenly. On my 1st gen only the driver's side latch mechanism is wired into the dome light circuit. I removed the hatch trim panel to access the latch wiring.

What kind of problem are you having with the rear lift gate switch? I mean if the door adjar light is on have you ruled out all other doors first?

 

[mrossirr]

DeRocha- I am 99% sure the lift gate is my problem. For the last few months I have had to close it several times to get the dome lights to go off. Also the door ajar light. Now they will not go off at all. With the key on or the vehicle running I get a chime when I open the drivers side or passanger side doors but not when I open the liftgate.

 

[westcovinajoe]

The spring loaded guides on each side of the body cradle the hatch to ensure it closes evenly. On my 1st gen only the driver's side latch mechanism is wired into the dome light circuit. I removed the hatch trim panel to access the latch wiring.

What kind of problem are you having with the rear lift gate switch? I mean if the door adjar light is on have you ruled out all other doors first?

I have this problem too.

By the hatch trim panel do you mean the paneling on the hatch itself? Or is it the panel area where the rear washer spray is located?

Also a weird aside, my X does the door chime noise anytime I open my driver door, key in ignition or not, but the other doors do not set it off.

Also, I have removed the wiring for the rear dome light and I noticed the 3rd brake light is not working, are they connected?

Thanks for the info in advance, I love this site and will be an elite explorer someday!

Joseph.

 

[DeRocha]

I have this problem too.

By the hatch trim panel do you mean the paneling on the hatch itself? Or is it the panel area where the rear washer spray is located?

Also a weird aside, my X does the door chime noise anytime I open my driver door, key in ignition or not, but the other doors do not set it off.

Also, I have removed the wiring for the rear dome light and I noticed the 3rd brake light is not working, are they connected?

Thanks for the info in advance, I love this site and will be an elite explorer someday!

Joseph.

The door ajar mechanism is contained within the Hatch itself. On the left/driver's side the latch mechanism which locks onto the striker post contains a switch and wire harness hidden inside the hatch. To test you can close all doors and verify the interior/dome lights go out. Then open the rear hatch and verify the interior lights come on. Without moving the hatch use your fingers to slowly squeeze the latch mechanism towards the locked position.. If the switch is working correctly you will see the interior/dome lights go out (before it locks all the way)... If you closed the latch all the way just use the hatch handle to unlock it again..

 

[westcovinajoe]

Thanks got it fixed! I just carefully closed the hatch after seeing how it worked with your advice DeRocha and I got it working again! All the lights are back in now and work!

DeRocha rules!

Joseph.

 

[HAWK53]

I have the same problem with the rear hatch, i spray the mechinism with WD40 and Im good for about 4 or 5 months