Door Issue

[Govna47]

This may have been covered once already, and if it has been, sorry in advance.

I've been having this problem with my door for about two years now. About 90% of the time, the truck doesn't realize that the door is open, which is frustrating, especially at night. It doesn't know the door is open so:
1. I don't get interior lights even it I hit the dimmer all the way up
2. No chime if keys in ignition
3. No chime if lights are on and door is open
No problems with the passenger door, lights come right on.

So what can I do to remedy this problem? I just want to be able to see if there's a murderer sitting in my passenger seat when I get in my truck at night.
Thanks

 

[dcdyd]

Seems to be an wiring issue.

 

[Govna47]

I'm starting to get at that myself. Anywhere in particular to start? there appears to be a lot of wires in this thing lol

 

[dcdyd]

I have not dealt with this type of issue yet. But something to look at.

1) Fuses
2) Wiring connectors
2) Wires coming out of the sensor (Door actuator?)

 

[koda2000]

i think it's the switch on your driver's door. i had this problem on my '01 XLT. no door ajar light, no interior light, no door chime. my switch was broken in two. i repaired it with some JB Weld and it's been working fine for 50k now.

the switches can also get stuck. sometimes some WD40 will free them up. they are available new form RA for under $10 and easy to change (one screw). there's a sticky with pictures on the switch.

 

[Govna47]

do you know the location of said sticky on this vast forum?

 

[swshawaii]

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=190221&highlight=door+ajar

 

[koda2000]

if that didn't help, remove the driver's side inner door panel, peel back the weather shield, put the window up and look through the hole in the inner door back toward the latch mech. you'll see a small switch with one, or two, wires (should be one). the switch is held in place by a single Phillips screw. remove the screw and unplug the wire(s) to remove it. you can try lubing it up and checking it with a meter to see if it can be rejuvenated, else replace it.

 

[bobflood]

If koda's suggestion does not work, next you should open up the rubber boot between the door and frame and look for a broken wire.

 

[1996BLKBauer]

I had this issue with my truck when I bought it, after much research, and actually after replacing my door lock actuator, I did find the problem. There is a switch, with a single wire going to it, that is attached to the door latch with one Phillips head screw. It is sort of odd shape for a switch. But what I did is replace it, plugged it back it, and t worked again. I was actually startled by it, because I have never heard the chime before.

Here are some pictures of the part....

This is not my Picture, but it shows you where it is on the latch assembly. Mine was actually broken off, yours just might be unplugged, I removed the guide for the window to gain access to mine.

Here is the part number, It may be a Napa part number only, but I am not entirely sure.

My old one, you can see that it broke clean off.

If you look closely, you can see a spring in there, so that it returns to the normally open position.

This is with it depressed, some sort of copper washer, it is a very simple design, bt it was very expensive, almost $30 for the replacement I got.

This is the connector, it was still connected to the wire, when I found it.

Here is it sort of together, and how it would/should normally look. it actually fit back together perfect, and if I where to glue it, it would work again, I sadly tested it AFTER I bought the new one. so if yours is broke you may be able to just glue it back together.

Hope this helps you guys.

 

[laneo9417]

This may have been covered once already, and if it has been, sorry in advance.

I've been having this problem with my door for about two years now. About 90% of the time, the truck doesn't realize that the door is open, which is frustrating, especially at night. It doesn't know the door is open so:
1. I don't get interior lights even it I hit the dimmer all the way up
2. No chime if keys in ignition
3. No chime if lights are on and door is open
No problems with the passenger door, lights come right on.

So what can I do to remedy this problem? I just want to be able to see if there's a murderer sitting in my passenger seat when I get in my truck at night.
Thanks

I had this issue with my truck when I bought it, after much research, and actually after replacing my door lock actuator, I did find the problem. There is a switch, with a single wire going to it, that is attached to the door latch with one Phillips head screw. It is sort of odd shape for a switch. But what I did is replace it, plugged it back it, and t worked again. I was actually startled by it, because I have never heard the chime before.

Here are some pictures of the part....

This is not my Picture, but it shows you where it is on the latch assembly. Mine was actually broken off, yours just might be unplugged, I removed the guide for the window to gain access to mine.

Here is the part number, It may be a Napa part number only, but I am not entirely sure.

My old one, you can see that it broke clean off.

If you look closely, you can see a spring in there, so that it returns to the normally open position.

This is with it depressed, some sort of copper washer, it is a very simple design, bt it was very expensive, almost $30 for the replacement I got.

This is the connector, it was still connected to the wire, when I found it.

Here is it sort of together, and how it would/should normally look. it actually fit back together perfect, and if I where to glue it, it would work again, I sadly tested it AFTER I bought the new one. so if yours is broke you may be able to just glue it back together.

Hope this helps you guys.

I think I may have this broken connector too. This past weekend I had the door panel off to fix the issue with the driver door handle rod and yellow clip and I noticed a black electrical connector that appeared broken (maybe even melted) from something. I didn't think much of it so I just wrapped the end of the connector in electrical tape and tucked it out of harms way. The lock works fine now but I noticed tonight that the interior/courtesy lights are not working properly. The interior lights work normal when the truck is locked then unlocked with the key fob, but if the driver door is unlocked the interior lights do not come on when the driver door is opened.

The door ajar chime has never worked since I've owned this truck (about 9 months) but I have never had the issue of the constantly lit door ajar dash light either.

I guess I will have to pull the door panel off again and check out the broken connector. Is Napa the only place that carries this part?

 

[Govna47]

Holy information batman! I haven't had more than 30 seconds to myself to even loo at the door, let alone try to repair anything. Thanks. I'll keep everyone posted if progress finally ensues

 

[1996BLKBauer]

I think I may have this broken connector too. This past weekend I had the door panel off to fix the issue with the driver door handle rod and yellow clip and I noticed a black electrical connector that appeared broken (maybe even melted) from something. I didn't think much of it so I just wrapped the end of the connector in electrical tape and tucked it out of harms way. The lock works fine now but I noticed tonight that the interior/courtesy lights are not working properly. The interior lights work normal when the truck is locked then unlocked with the key fob, but if the driver door is unlocked the interior lights do not come on when the driver door is opened.

The door ajar chime has never worked since I've owned this truck (about 9 months) but I have never had the issue of the constantly lit door ajar dash light either.

I guess I will have to pull the door panel off again and check out the broken connector. Is Napa the only place that carries this part?

I am sure many places carry it, check out RockAuto, I just happen to get it at Napa, mainly because they had it in stock, and brought it to the shop. So that saved me from reassembling my truck to pick it up.