door sensor malfunction

[LMHmedchem]

Since last winter, I have had a stuck indicator for an open door. None of the doors is open, but I can't see where the sensors are. I have to manually turn off the cabin lights or the lights will stay on and run my battery down. These smart systems are really dumb. The lights are designed to stay on for a minute or so after you turn them off, but they aren't smart enough to know they should stay on so long that they run out your battery.

Is there anything I can do about these sensors short of going to the dealer and having them tell me they have to replace all of the doors or something like that? I have heard other owners talk about this problem, including the AAA tech who jumped me the last time I forgot to turn the lights out, so I am hoping that a solution has been worked out.

LMHmedchem

 

[Exproblems]

Is there anything I can do about these sensors short of going to the dealer and having them tell me they have to replace all of the doors or something like that? LMHmedchem

>>>>>>>>>

Send a message to "BigRondo", he's quite knowledgeable on issues regarding door sensor or door jam, broken wiring problems. You may be able to find some older posts on that problem by using the search bar at the top of the forum. Just type a brief description of your problem into the search bar and see what posts come up on the next page.

 

[wanderer351]

I had the same problem with my driver door...I popped the latch assembly out and the sensor unit out..sprayed it with WD40 and actuateed it vigorously (smacking it with pliers) untill it started to slide easily...then reinstalled...works just fine

the problem with the sensors is they are pointed up and catch grit and dust in them...possibly spraying just the latch while its installed will help..the sensor is on the very bottom where the catch latches....

good luck.

 

[Albino 94LTD]

Her you go; http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=249253

There are lots of threads about door switch replacement but this is a real 'How To" with pictures and everything.

Take the old switch with you when you go to the parts store and compare them carefully!

 

[LMHmedchem]

Thanks allot for the info. I wasn't really sure where the sensor was, so that was a bit part of the problem. Of course, our brilliant modern engineers put the sensor in a place where it's an $800 repair job to replace a $15 pat.

It's so sad that the primary focus of engineering has become creating business for the repair division. What a pathetic place to put your resources and ingenuity.

LMHmedchem

 

[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 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.

 

[Geologist]

I had a similar problem with my '02 Eddie. After replacing every door switch, it would still intermittently do the door ajar trick out of the blue, sometimes while driving down the road, sometimes in the middle of the night the alarm would go off for no reason.

I finally traced the problem to a plug in near the rear hatch, under the headliner in the rear of the truck. It was not fully plugged in and was affected by bumps in the road. This plug in is for the rear hatch door sensor, and also the rear windshield wiper.

If you are having problems with the rear window wiper not working, this could be your problem as well.

 

[tower]

WD40 fixed mine a few years and I have never had the problem again.

 

[LMHmedchem]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I will try the WD-40 this weekend. I have a full can, but there doesn't seem to be any air pressure in it anymore. Hopefully that will fix it, otherwise I will start in on the door wiring and such.

Any suggestions for getting the boot off to check? That's the kind of thing that always ends up being harder for me than I think it will be I assume that the drives side door is the most likely one to have wear.

Thanks for all the posts of the tutorials for the wiring and door sensor and such. It's so nice of folks to put in the time to document things like that.

LMHmedchem

 

[BigRondo]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I will try the WD-40 this weekend. I have a full can, but there doesn't seem to be any air pressure in it anymore. Hopefully that will fix it, otherwise I will start in on the door wiring and such.

Any suggestions for getting the boot off to check? That's the kind of thing that always ends up being harder for me than I think it will be I assume that the drives side door is the most likely one to have wear.

Thanks for all the posts of the tutorials for the wiring and door sensor and such. It's so nice of folks to put in the time to document things like that.

LMHmedchem

From my earlier post:

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.

Follow the instructions in that link, it explains how to get to the wires in the boot, as well as how to repair the wires.

Here is the link for removing the door panel: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=303524

Good luck and be sure to keep us posted.