Has happened twice now but last night I had to disconnect the battery. A few years ago the driver's door switch was replaced for the same reason. I would do it again but I can't find anything that looks like a switch. Anyone know where that thing is? Oh, forgot to say it is a '98 Explorer XLT.

 

Welcome to the forum!

There are quite a few posts in this forum regarding the door switches. The switch for the driver's door is integrated in to the door latch mechanism. You pretty much need to remove the latch mechanism to access the switch. For troubleshooting or a short term fix you can try using a contact cleaner/switch lubricant sprayed in the door latch mechanism, then open and close the door a few times, to see if that resolves the issue.

Another common issue, which again is covered several times in this forum, is to have broken wires in the accordion boot between the door and the cab.

And if neither of those seem to be the issue, consider the issue could be related to the rear liftgate glass. Either the switch or the wiring could be the issue there.

Since all three of these have been detailed in other threads, I won't go in to the details here, but will instead recommend the "Search this Forum" feature for keyword "ajar".

-Rod

 

Oh, and if you are getting just the dome light staying on, including after the vehicle is placed in gear and moving, but no Door Ajar indicator, make sure you don't just have the dimmer switch rotated all the way past the maximum brightness detent (which turns on the dome light) or, depending on how the interior light is switched on in the 1998 model, the switch on the dome light itself switched from "Door" to "On."

-Rod

 

Thanks for the help. I'll start checking. Ajar light was not on and dome lights both stayed on while driving. Tried the manual switch several times so looking like the door switch again. Had it replaced a few years back when I could not find it.

 

often times soaking with the spray will get things to function again... shoot thru the door latch area on end of the door.