This 2003 Ford Explorer came in with several complaints; the door ajar light stays on with the doors closed and the engine running, the dome and puddle lights stay on for ten minutes after exiting the vehicle, when locking the doors the doors will lock then unlock on their own and the alarm will go off for no reason. This was pretty easy to isolate to the driver’s door ajar switch with the aid of a good scan tool. Once I found that the driver’s door ajar switch was reporting an open door no matter what position the door was in, all I had to do was confirm that it was a switch and not wiring or a computer problem.
In removing the door panel the first step is to remove the interior door handle trim panel. At the forward edge insert a small flat prying tool and release the retainers.
After removing the panel now you can lift and remove the switch trim panel assembly. There is one screw under the panel that has to be removed.
There are two screws that have to be removed from the lower edge of the door panel.
After removing all three screws lift the door panel up and towards you. Then you will need to support the panel and remove the wiring from the power mirror switch. This can be a little difficult so take your time. You will need to slide a small screwdriver blade under the retaining clip in order to release the harness connector.
Peel the left hand side of the vapor barrier back and locate the harness connector that I did not get a picture of.
Update October 21, 2011. Well, I finally got another one of these Explorers in and took some extra pictures to show the harness connector and the wires. Note the change in paint colors
Disconnect the harness connector and with an ohm meter check the resistance of the door ajar switch,two small wires yellow/black and black. The resistance should change from an open to a closed circuit with the movement of the latch assembly. If it does not change the switch is faulty.
You may also take a jumper wire and connect the small yellow/black to the small black wire and see if the lights and locks respond properly now. A closed circuit indicates a closed door and the lights and locks should now function properly. Roll a window down before doing this so that you will not lock the keys in the car.
The backside of the harness connector. I looked at the color codes to locate the two needed wires.
In order to remove the latch assembly and or the door ajar switch the lower window track will have to be removed. There are two screws at the rear of the door.
There are three screws that hold the latch in place. There is also linkage that will have to be removed. Pay careful attention to positioning and adjustments so that reassembly will not be a problem.
After gaining access remove the harness connector and twist the switch to release and then pull. To install the new switch push the switch into position and rotate until click is felt. Reassemble door and test system as you go.
Sparky do you know the Ford Part Number for the part?
A broken wire in the door jamb could cause the same symptom. However testing should have revealed this when the two wires were jumped together to simulate a closed door. This post does not apply to all Explorers and you may want to consult a wiring diagram to confirm the operating characteristics of the year vehicle you have.
tried to follow the instruction on finding a faulty door and came to find out it was the drivers door replaced the switch with a new one and checked all wires seemed okay, still the door ajar light stays on.
Yes, I’ve found no one else with this issue. When my 03 Explorer right
rear door was open the car thought it
was closed. Door closed- it thought it was open(dome lights, alarm, “DOOR
AJAR”, etc. It had an inverse operation. I turned off the lights at
the dimmer switch to save power to
tackle the enigma the following day.
Using your instructions I was able to
find the switch(the plastic separated from the metal sleeve),reassemble, crimp, and put the whole thing back together in about an hour. Cost of zero.
Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou.
Yes, I have so far NOT encountered the same issue that I had with my door. When the rear passenger door was closed the car thought it was open. When the door was open, the car thought it was closed. All systems behaved as such– “DOOR AJAR”, dome light stayed on(off with the door open), car alarm setting, etc. All was reversed. I tried the spray lube trick and the door thought it was open ALL the time. Using your instructions I was
able to locate the switch(the plastic had separated from the metal sleeve), repair the switch(reassemble and crimp),
and put it all back together in about an hour.
Thankyou,thankyou,thankyou!
Zero cost.
Bob in Newbury Park CA