Help!! Possible wiring issue with lights on my 03 Explorer

[My03Explorer]

Hi everyone. Thanks for taking a look into my post. It seems as though I have a wiring problem or short. Let me describe it.

When I attempt to leave the interior lights on auto ( dial turned all the way up) and turn on my headlights, my interior dome lights turn on. This is sometimes accompanied by the "door ajar" light turning on.

Not only does this happen, but it also makes it so that if I leave the interior lights set to the auto position, the security lights under the mirrors do not work when locking or unlocking the vehicle.

It also will double beep indicating that the vehicle is not locked if I try to lock it when the switch is left in the auto position.

All of this is remedied when I just turn the switch as high up as I can without clicking it into auto, however the security lights wont work.

Any suggestions????

 

[BigRondo]

Hi everyone. Thanks for taking a look into my post. It seems as though I have a wiring problem or short. Let me describe it.

When I attempt to leave the interior lights on auto ( dial turned all the way up) and turn on my headlights, my interior dome lights turn on. This is sometimes accompanied by the "door ajar" light turning on.

Not only does this happen, but it also makes it so that if I leave the interior lights set to the auto position, the security lights under the mirrors do not work when locking or unlocking the vehicle.

It also will double beep indicating that the vehicle is not locked if I try to lock it when the switch is left in the auto position.

All of this is remedied when I just turn the switch as high up as I can without clicking it into auto, however the security lights wont work.

Any suggestions????

I had a similar issue 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, etc.

A lot of issues can be traced back to broken/damaged wire(s) in the boot between the body and the door. I found a broken wire and repaired it and all is back to normal!

Could also be related to the door ajar switch.

Here is a great thread for removing the door panel and 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

Hope this helps out. :biggthump The double beep doesn't indicate that the doors are unlocked. It indicates a problem with the system.

 

[My03Explorer]

Thanks for the quick reply. I did take off the door panel and switch the door switch with the one from the rear drivers side door, and I didn't notice any positive results. I should have mentioned that. I will double check the wiring bundle that runs to the door, and If I find a broken or frayed one will replace it. Thanks again for the quick responce and feedback!!

I should mention that by holding the plunger in on the switch I first noticed that the light went off, but was unsattisfied with the result thinking that it could be sticky, so I swapped it with the rear doors switch while holding down the plunger on the rear had my buddy shut the door to see if it went off.

No luck, I will continue to research it.

 

[BigRondo]

Good luck. Keep us posted! :smoke: