Lessons learned, electrical issues (door ajar, power windows, out side rear view mirrors, power locks)

[miksu]

Fixed my '04 XLT (about 135000 miles / 220000km) electric faults yesterday and learned something worth sharing. It was having door ajar problems, non-functional right front power windows, both puddle lights not working and random issues with left front power lock. All the issues were caused by faults in wiring harness between car body and door, inside protective rubber boot. Four or five broken wires. Basically, anything you can control from the drivers doors buttons (locks, windows, mirrors, maybe memory seat), can go non-functional if wires are broken in drivers door. Fault isn't necessarily anywhere close to non-functional part itself. Power supply to device is cut, if harness is broken. Fortunately, wiring fault is easy to inspect and nowhere near impossible to fix, if one can handle soldering iron. Even soldering may not be necessary, if heat shrinking self soldering joints are used.

Since I had to remove door panels, I also installed heated outside rear view mirrors, since I'm living in Cold North. Original ones were non-heated, since my Explorer comes from south. Required wiring is already included and per Ford's wiring diagram, it's there in every trim level. New heated mirror cost about 2$ more each than non-heated and it has one extra pin for heating. Connector is otherwise same for heated and non-heated mirror.

 

[domct203]

As you read through the forum you will see this wire loom has been a known issue for quite some time.

Smart move on the heated mirrors swap.

 

[mountaineer2004]

Wow, that's pretty smart about the new heated mirrors.
I have same year, but so far have been lucky about the harness.