Hunting down door lock problems 02 Explorer

[WibilFordy]

Found this forum and lots of useful info so far . Like so many others with door lock problems I have tried many things and finally believe I have it narrowed down to a broken wire between the divers door and body. I bought this vehicle used and the door ajar light is always on and dome light will only shut of by rotating switch down or by driving a while. Over bumps the locks flutter and main interior lock switch sometime works. better with door open...so I pulled the boot of and into the cab and play with the wires and it works or does not depending if I push or pull on the cluster right. Sooo...what color or colors of wire feed the main switch? I don't see a major break or scuff on any particular one. Will I have to pull the door panel to test for power at the switch then add a jumper wire across the defective spot? Will this cure the door ajar light or do I have to monkey with that? (I already disabled the two rear door switches as it had been hit and repair there and thought that was the problem...also had a '96 with rear window switch sticking) Please help me out guys!

 

[ThomasG]

Hey Wibil, just fixed this exact problem today on my 02 Ltd.. Have you tried spraying the lock mechanism on the driver side,passenger side liberally with WD40 ? then close and open the doors quite a few times. This worked for me. The door ajar switch is on the door mechanism and gets gummy sometimes. If that doesn't work you will prob have to take off the door panel and check the wires. most common one for some reason that gets cut ,presumably because of it rubbing when door gets used is the ground. good luck!

 

[WibilFordy]

RE: hunting down door lock problems

Getting some progress. After pilling door panel and loosening wire harness clips I pulled the boot back and opened the bundle of wires. Found one (I think it was pink and green for lock switch) that was worn through and causing the "flutter" of switch while driving. I taped it so it would not ground against door. Still interior switch, key fob buttons or keyless pad would work more often with door open than closed. Cut open black ground wire close to body and soldered a jumper lead and ran it to both black wires on interior door switch. BINGO they all work! But I still get door ajar warning light and dome lights will only turn of manually or if you drive a bit. I sprayed all the switches, disconnected both rear switches and cut the wire to the drivers door switch. Now the rear wiper quit! Does that ground off same wires as rear door switches? This thing is testing my patience. I only have three more door switches to disable to get ajar and dome to work?