Liftgate/glass ajar warning, rear wiper won't work, door locks won't work.

[TRob]

I posted this a few years back but never got a response so trying again. My 2010 Explorer XLT, 6 cyl, has the liftgate/glass ajar message on the dash constantly even though the rear hatch and glass are closed. This causes the puddle lights to remain on for at least 30 mins at night and the doors won't lock with the door button if the key is in the ignition. The doors will lock with the button if key is not inserted. Also, the rear wiper won't work. I've read other, similar posts but didn't see any good answers. Help!!

 

[Rcflyer330]

Well the rear wiper not working is due to the rear glass ajar message. The wiper will not run with the glass open. on the door lock problem i have no clue and i would not worry about it until you get the glass ajar message fixed because it may be related to that.
Okay, so you have a electrical problem with the glass ajar switch it could be wireing, the switch, corrosion, or it could be the module that controls it. to diagnose it you are going to need a electrical diagram of the vehicle along with a multimeter and the probes to test the wiring. you also need to know how to read the diagram and understand how the system works. if you don't have the knowledge or the tools then your best bet is to just throw a new latch or switch in and hope it fixes it.

 

[TRob]

Well the rear wiper not working is due to the rear glass ajar message. The wiper will not run with the glass open. on the door lock problem i have no clue and i would not worry about it until you get the glass ajar message fixed because it may be related to that.
Okay, so you have a electrical problem with the glass ajar switch it could be wireing, the switch, corrosion, or it could be the module that controls it. to diagnose it you are going to need a electrical diagram of the vehicle along with a multimeter and the probes to test the wiring. you also need to know how to read the diagram and understand how the system works. if you don't have the knowledge or the tools then your best bet is to just throw a new latch or switch in and hope it fixes it.

Thanks for the info, Rcflyer330! At least that gets me started on a solution. The wiper, puddle lights and locks are all related to the glass ajar message as the only time they came on in the past was when that ajar message displayed, usually when I hit a bump. I used to be able to open/close the glass/liftgate a few times and it would go away for a while, then return later with all the above issues.

 

[Rcflyer330]

Thanks for the info, Rcflyer330! At least that gets me started on a solution. The wiper, puddle lights and locks are all related to the glass ajar message as the only time they came on in the past was when that ajar message displayed, usually when I hit a bump. I used to be able to open/close the glass/liftgate a few times and it would go away for a while, then return later with all the above issues.

okay where i would start is by pulling off the rear tailgate trim to get to the actuator and switch. to remove the trim panel open the glass then open the tailgate. remove the two bolts holding the handle to the door then you can start prying at the plastic panel it is held in by clips and be careful because you can break them. if the metal clips stay in the tail gate remove them and put the back onto the plastic before re-installing.

now that you can get to the lock actuator and switch look at the connections and see if they are connected you can do this by very gently pulling on them if they come off it was probally just a loose connection. if they are still connected then remove them. there is probally going to be some type of safety latch that will need to be pressed while you pull on the connector to get it off. after that look at the plugs see if there is any green corrosion if so than that's your problem. start here first because its free and and can be done in an hr if you take your time 30 minutes if you know what you doing.

The message happening when you go over bumps could indicate there is something loose making an intermittent connection and now is not making one at all.

 

[Bill MacLeod]

Had a somewhat similar issue a few years ago. The rear window glass would occasionally 'pop' open, the locks worked intermittently, could hear the glass open switch 'clicking' while driving on occasion. When I removed the license plate light trim panel, found the wiring harness connection at the glass switch was not fully connected. Problem solved.

 

[TRob]

Thanks for the info. My rear glass is not popping open but I'll check that connection.

 

[irala]

Not sure if this helps... On my 1997 Explorer Sport, the door ajar was staying on. I had the problem about 8 years ago so did not initially panic.

Open, closed, slammed; no change. Then I got my can of WD-40 electrical connection spray and hit both locking mechanism on the ... is it called lift gate? Anyhow, the rear door. Oh, and the lights inside on the back floor -- puddle lights, I guess -- stayed on for a half hour. I was prepared to live with the door ajar light but was concerned the interior lights would drain the battery, so I stuck with it. The door ajar and interior lights situation did not change. So I put away the spray and started to think (always a good way to kill time). Oh, and the rear wiper did not function.

I decided to try it again, and voila, door ajar out, puddle lights out, and rear wiper fired right up.

So basically some lubricant on I don't know exactly what, and some patience.

 

[Blackhawkxx]

I also had a 99 Ranger and could fix the interior lights staying on by spraying WD-40 on the door latch and hinges.