Door ajar/ Dome light wont work

johnny172 · #1 02-04-2011, 02:21 PM

Hello,
When I open my drivers side door the dome light doesn't come on and there is no door ajar warning either. When I open the passenger door, the dome light comes on and there's a there is a door ajar warning... Please help because it is annoying when I go to my ranger at night and the dome light doesn't come on...
Thanks

cowboykilroy · #2 02-05-2011, 08:02 AM

Take your wd40 ,put the red tube in the door latch opening spray real good, open and close the door a few times repeat if needed. that should take care of it ,if not then you have a bad switch on the door latch, but 99 times out of 100 this fixes it. also while you have the wd40 in your hand spray the door hinges and stick the red tube in the door lock key holes an give them a shot, put your key in work it a few times. repeat all of this once or twice a year.

etrailer · #3 02-05-2011, 09:34 AM

Since it works on the passenger side, but not the driver, that indicates something is wrong on the driver. The switch that is released when the door is open may be bad.

BT24 · #4 02-05-2011, 09:43 AM

I would still try the old method of spraying WD-40 into the drivers side keyhole...

johnny172 · #5 02-05-2011, 10:06 AM

I have tried the wd-40 and that didn't do anything what else should I try?

01_ranger_4x4 · #6 02-05-2011, 10:36 AM

if the WD-40 trick didnt work i would pull the door panel off and check the wiring, make sure everything is plugged in and the wires arent broken. also pull back the rubber wire loom between the door and door jam and check all the wires there. if everything checks out you might be replacing the switch/ door latch assembly.

ps. for future reference, please dont post multiple threads asking the same questions. if you post in the appropriate section you will most likely get the answer youre looking for, i merged youre two threads.

johnny172 · #7 02-05-2011, 02:38 PM

thanks I wasen't sure which one to put it it in

johnny172 · #8 02-05-2011, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 01_ranger_4x4

if the WD-40 trick didnt work i would pull the door panel off and check the wiring, make sure everything is plugged in and the wires arent broken. also pull back the rubber wire loom between the door and door jam and check all the wires there. if everything checks out you might be replacing the switch/ door latch assembly.

where can I get a switch/door latch assembly?

01_ranger_4x4 · #9 02-05-2011, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnny172

where can I get a switch/door latch assembly?

you can get it from ford, im not sure if any after market suppliers ell them or not. if i remember right i payed about $100 for it. looks like this, comes as and assembly with the door latch and inner door handle

jxc012 · #10 02-05-2011, 05:05 PM

You can replace the switch by itself...no need for the handle and latch unless something is broken. I had to do both sides on mine. $35 a piece from the local dealer.

johnny172 · #11 02-06-2011, 09:21 AM

my door latch works fine so I would think I would just need the switch... Is there anywhere online where I could buy it?

01_ranger_4x4 · #12 02-06-2011, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jxc012

You can replace the switch by itself...no need for the handle and latch unless something is broken. I had to do both sides on mine. $35 a piece from the local dealer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnny172

my door latch works fine so I would think I would just need the switch... Is there anywhere online where I could buy it?

at the time i did my switch i wasnt able to get just the switch according to ford, thats why the entire assembly was replaced. also, from looking at the assembly i wasnt able to figure out out to get the switch out without damaging the entire latch. jxc012 if you know how to do it you should write up a "how to" with some pictures if you can, that would be nice considering how often this topic comes up. the sticky/ inop door latch is an ongoing issue with these trucks.

cowboykilroy · #13 02-06-2011, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BT24

I would still try the old method of spraying WD-40 into the drivers side keyhole...

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnny172

I have tried the wd-40 and that didn't do anything what else should I try?

If you are spraying into the key hole you are spraying in the wrong place. spray into the door latching mechanism that holds the door shut when you close it.

johnny172 · #14 02-06-2011, 09:49 AM

well orignally i was spraying the wd-40 in to the latching mechanism, but someone said try spraying into the key hole... so I have done both... and still no luck...

jxc012 · #15 02-07-2011, 10:36 AM

wd-40 will actually trap dirt and grime and make the problem worse. It may fix it for a short time (because it simply blows the gunk off the switch) but it wont stay that way. Look at the above picture of the latch assembly. On the bottom of the latch itself there is an electrical connection (the purple looking one). This is the door ajar sensor. After removing your door panel snake your hand back to the latch and unplug the wire harness from the switch. Then grab hold of the switch itself and rotate it away from you (towards the outside of the door). It will probably be quite hard to turn. When it does budge it will make a loud popping noise like you broke it. Chances are you didnt. After you have it out there are 2 choices, either use electrical contact cleaner on it multiple times and work the switch in and out until it functions smoothly again or buy a new one. I tried the first method but it only lasted about a week. Installation is the reverse of removal. BTW if you have large hands it may help to unbolt the latch from the door jamb (3 torx screws). This way the latch will turn inside the door making the switch easier to access.