loose door latches or bad switches?

[Stynx]

We recently started getting a warning beep while driving around. It happens intermittently and there doesn't seem to be any message on the display. No CEL or other warning lights either and the dome light does not come on. But it's the same beep you get if you open the door when the vehicle is moving.

I noticed it happened right after hitting a bump, so my working theory is that either the door indicator switch (or whatever it's called) is faulty or that the latches are worn and may not be holding the door as tightly closed as previously.

Where are the switches located? I looked around and didn't see anything. Also can the latches be adjusted?

 

[fordysenior]

The door ajar switches are located in each door. You have to remove the panel of the door and look inside (have the window up). Look for the wires to the switch. If I remember right, some of the glass track has to be loosened to get to the switch. They aren't that hard to do, but if I remember right, I had to go to the dealer to get the correct parts. Normal auto parts stores did not have them -- that may be changed by now. I don't know about the door latches, I think they have a minimal movement on them.

 

[swshawaii]

Haven't browsed, but search through the "Similar Threads" on the bottom of this thread.

Sounds like a common sticking door ajar switch to me. Here's an excellent tutorial video.


Also check the commonly worn door striker bushings for wear.

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[Stynx]

Haven't browsed, but search through the "Similar Threads" on the bottom of this thread.

Sounds like a common sticking door ajar switch to me. Here's an excellent tutorial video.


Also check the commonly worn door striker bushings for wear.

Pardon Our Interruption...

Thanks for the video link, it has some good information about how to check it. At this point it's not absolutely certain that it is the door ajar switch since the symptom is a random chime, but it's likely given the symptoms circumstances. Gonna try the rust penetrant trick and see if it makes a difference. I will check the bushings too.

I assume the lift gate switch is similar.

 

[dvdswan]

Back window is famous on my wife's Explorer. The key fob is the issue IMO. With the single press back glass to pop it open, I would say about 25% of the time I drive it, pulling the keys out of my pocket to unlock it the Ex, I'll accidently hit the back glass in my pocket not knowing it. Then driving around I'll get the beep on a bump. Stop, check the back glass and it's unlocked.

 

[Stynx]

Back window is famous on my wife's Explorer. The key fob is the issue IMO. With the single press back glass to pop it open, I would say about 25% of the time I drive it, pulling the keys out of my pocket to unlock it the Ex, I'll accidently hit the back glass in my pocket not knowing it. Then driving around I'll get the beep on a bump. Stop, check the back glass and it's unlocked.

Yeah I hate key fobs. We used to have a car where I was constantly activating the panic alarm. Peak security was chipped keys. My kids drive an old versa that has a chip key that's tiny compared to the standard fobs these days.

I gotta check the back window on mine that's the one thing I forgot. I think it's only been open maybe two or three times in the 2 years we've had the vehicle.

 

[Stynx]

Ok a little follow up. The warning message on the display finally stayed on long enough for me to at least partially read it. "Charging system" was the first two words couldn't read the rest fast enough...

In short, it looks like that "bottom of the line" alternator from autozone that I put in a year and a half ago is probably already crapping the bed. I figured I might get 3 years of light use out of it but apparently not. Also gotta check for loose connections or a bad belt or tensioner. Autozone will test it for you for free. I had a voltmeter on it and it was putting out 14 volts, so at least it's putting out enough juice to keep the battery charged but maybe the voltage regulator is shot. Hopefully it will keep until the weather warms up - times like these I wish I had a garage! At least it isn't my primary vehicle.

 

[Stynx]

Yeah so the message was "check charging system" so I thought the alternator was bad, took it to autozone and they put a battery/alternator tester on and it showed no problems although the beep and error message have not occurred today. As I mentioned the alternator, although a cheapo off brand, is only like a year and a half old and has very few miles on it. It doesn't get driven very much, maybe once a week just to get the motor turned over.

Could it be a slipping belt? The belt seems reasonably new but the tensioner looks kind of corroded on the outside. I was thinking that maybe the cooler temperatures could be causing the belt to slip intermittently particularly if the tensioner has lost some grunt over the years.

 

[Stynx]

Ok final update: I suspected a slipping belt due to a weak belt tensioner so I bought a kit from rock auto with a new belt, tensioner and idler. It was a fairly easy install and the old tensioner looked kind of crusty. Got everything snugged up and it started with no problem so I took it for a spin - no beeping noise...except when I pulled back into my street then it started to happen again. In fact it got worse over a week.

Back to square one and the alternator turned out to be the culprit after all. I bought a brand new 130 amp a/c delco gold unit from rock auto and installed it this morning - this was when I discovered the real source of the problem:

The alternator itself was probably fine but there is that 4 pin connector that was loose and would not latch firmly. It would just pop right back off with little tension. I had check the voltage and it had been putting out 14 and change volts like it should but the connector was basically bouncing and would connect and disconnect at random.

When I tried plugging it into the new alternator the plug snapped right into place and stayed firmly in place. No more beeping! The new unit was actually cheaper than the crappy reman unit I had to buy from autozone last time it died. (it was sunday, I had to repair it that day and that was all they had in stock).

Moral of the story is double check all your connections.

 

[mountaineer2004]

Ok final update: I suspected a slipping belt due to a weak belt tensioner so I bought a kit from rock auto with a new belt, tensioner and idler. It was a fairly easy install and the old tensioner looked kind of crusty. Got everything snugged up and it started with no problem so I took it for a spin - no beeping noise...except when I pulled back into my street then it started to happen again. In fact it got worse over a week.

Back to square one and the alternator turned out to be the culprit after all. I bought a brand new 130 amp a/c delco gold unit from rock auto and installed it this morning - this was when I discovered the real source of the problem:

The alternator itself was probably fine but there is that 4 pin connector that was loose and would not latch firmly. It would just pop right back off with little tension. I had check the voltage and it had been putting out 14 and change volts like it should but the connector was basically bouncing and would connect and disconnect at random.

When I tried plugging it into the new alternator the plug snapped right into place and stayed firmly in place. No more beeping! The new unit was actually cheaper than the crappy reman unit I had to buy from autozone last time it died. (it was sunday, I had to repair it that day and that was all they had in stock).

Moral of the story is double check all your connections.

Great perseverance led you to success, good for you! Thanks for all the updates.