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  #1  
Old 09-05-2011, 05:46 PM
floridaboy floridaboy is offline
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Default interior cab light stuck on/ door ajar light stuck on

I just bought my '98 ranger about a month ago and I've had no problems with it until today. When I left the beach today, it was just getting dark, and when I started my truck, the door ajar light stayed on
until I got home. And when I shut off my truck and got out, the interior light stayed on. It's still on and I don't know anything about electronics.
Has anybody had this problem before? I guess I'm going to disconnect my battery if I can't figure this out. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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  #2  
Old 09-05-2011, 05:48 PM
94mtx 94mtx is offline
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Default Re: interior cab light stuck on/ door ajar light stuck on

There is a little plunger on the door frame of the cab. Remove the screws or whatever that holds that in and remove it - disconnect one of the two wires and tape it to the other. That should turn off your dome light
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Old 09-05-2011, 05:58 PM
floridaboy floridaboy is offline
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Default Re: interior cab light stuck on/ door ajar light stuck on

Quote:
Originally Posted by 94mtx View Post
There is a little plunger on the door frame of the cab. Remove the screws or whatever that holds that in and remove it - disconnect one of the two wires and tape it to the other. That should turn off your dome light
So if I do that, the light will only come on with the switch? Also, isn't there a short or something in the wiring?
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Old 09-05-2011, 06:00 PM
94mtx 94mtx is offline
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Default Re: interior cab light stuck on/ door ajar light stuck on

It's probably a broken plunger. They go bad after a while.

----------

If the plunger is stuck in the "closed" or depressed position, try squirting a little WD-40 at it, if it's in the open position, it's most likely a faulty switch, assuming that you didn't turn the knob and leave it on. lol
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Buggman LED 3BL/CARGO, Buggman Stang Dome LED conversion, LED Brake Light conversion, Line-X O.T.R., Air silencer removed
2.3L Headgasket/TIMING/Water Pump replacement guide
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  #5  
Old 09-05-2011, 06:01 PM
Areyouforcereal? Areyouforcereal? is offline
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Default Re: interior cab light stuck on/ door ajar light stuck on

Most likely the switch is bad. Just bypass it untill you can get a new one.
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Old 09-05-2011, 06:08 PM
floridaboy floridaboy is offline
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Default Re: interior cab light stuck on/ door ajar light stuck on

Where exactly is this plunger located?

----------

Sorry for all the questions. If the switch went bad, wouldn't the light NOT come on when the door opens, instead of being stuck on?
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Old 09-05-2011, 06:16 PM
94mtx 94mtx is offline
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Default Re: interior cab light stuck on/ door ajar light stuck on

If you open your door and look at the area that the door covers it should be there somewhere. I had the same thing happen to one of my old cars and it was the bad plunger keeping the light on.
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Old 09-05-2011, 06:18 PM
Jimmeh Jimmeh is offline
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Default Re: interior cab light stuck on/ door ajar light stuck on

The plunger is located in the door jamb. When you open the door, look between the door hinge and dash, and it should be in there. It will look similar to this:



Keep in mind, it's not identical to that.
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Old 09-05-2011, 06:38 PM
floridaboy floridaboy is offline
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Default Re: interior cab light stuck on/ door ajar light stuck on

There is no plunger in my door jamb.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg IMG_0052.jpg (93.3 KB, 50 views)
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Old 09-05-2011, 06:39 PM
Jimmeh Jimmeh is offline
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Default Re: interior cab light stuck on/ door ajar light stuck on

I had a hunch that you wouldn't have one. You probably have a 4 door huh?

Let me do some searching. I remember somebody had this problem awhile back and had a solution for it besides cutting wires and what not.
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92 Ford Ranger Supercab XLT 4X4.
Not a ton done to it, but it's nowhere near finished
05 Chevy Silverado 1500 W/T 4X4
Way too much done to list and it's also not even close to done

"The only woman I'm pimping from now on is Sweet Lady Propane. And I'm tricking her out all over this town."
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Old 09-05-2011, 06:42 PM
floridaboy floridaboy is offline
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Default Re: interior cab light stuck on/ door ajar light stuck on

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimmeh View Post
I had a hunch that you wouldn't have one. You probably have a 4 door huh?

Let me do some searching. I remember somebody had this problem awhile back and had a solution for it besides cutting wires and what not.
No, it's only a 2 door, but it is an extended cab. Thanks for the help.
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Old 09-05-2011, 06:42 PM
Jimmeh Jimmeh is offline
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Default Re: interior cab light stuck on/ door ajar light stuck on

K, apparently there is a switch located in the latch itself. If you spray WD 40 on it and open/shut the door a bunch, it should turn the dome light off and the door ajar light will go off.
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92 Ford Ranger Supercab XLT 4X4.
Not a ton done to it, but it's nowhere near finished
05 Chevy Silverado 1500 W/T 4X4
Way too much done to list and it's also not even close to done

"The only woman I'm pimping from now on is Sweet Lady Propane. And I'm tricking her out all over this town."
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  #13  
Old 09-05-2011, 06:50 PM
floridaboy floridaboy is offline
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Default Re: interior cab light stuck on/ door ajar light stuck on

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimmeh View Post
K, apparently there is a switch located in the latch itself. If you spray WD 40 on it and open/shut the door a bunch, it should turn the dome light off and the door ajar light will go off.
Latch meaning the exterior door handle?
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  #14  
Old 09-05-2011, 06:56 PM
Jimmeh Jimmeh is offline
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Default Re: interior cab light stuck on/ door ajar light stuck on

No, when you open the door, on the door itself is the latch. It will connect to either one post or like a bar type deal. Again, I don't have the same year Ranger, nor are these pictures from a Ranger, but here is what a latch would look similar to (would have got the Ranger ones, but it's parked in the barn and I didn't want to put my shoes on, lol).

Latch:



The bar or post (depending on what you got):

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92 Ford Ranger Supercab XLT 4X4.
Not a ton done to it, but it's nowhere near finished
05 Chevy Silverado 1500 W/T 4X4
Way too much done to list and it's also not even close to done

"The only woman I'm pimping from now on is Sweet Lady Propane. And I'm tricking her out all over this town."
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  #15  
Old 09-05-2011, 07:28 PM
floridaboy floridaboy is offline
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Default Re: interior cab light stuck on/ door ajar light stuck on

Bingo! It is the switch in the passenger side door latch. W-D took care of it. I'm sure It'll happen again, but at least I know the source of the problem. Plus I drive around solo 99% of the time anyway so I'll just try to avoid using that door. I washed my truck today and I think that has something to do with it. I might have gotten some water in the latch.
Thanks for the help guys. I'm sure you'll be hearing from me again.


BTW, My truck is a 97 XLT, v-6(auto), extended cab, with only 46,000 miles on it. I bought it from a man who's father had just passed away, it was his truck. The guy was 80 years old so I know he wasn't beating on it. It looks brand new. I looked at over 200 rangers on the internet before I found this one. I paid $4,000.
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