2002 F250 5.4L lariat, power everything, keyless and ford accessory remote start.

Problem started after a regular service (oil change, ect.) No power door locks, door ajar light was lit.

I replaced the VSM and the door locks and keyless entry worked again. The door ajar, dome and cargo light stay lit. I pulled all 4 door panels and switches and shorted them. The light stayed lit, I tested each switch and they all acted correctly.

VSM and door switches are not my culprit leaving me with the instrament cluster. I guess I will pull it this weekend and look for the problem. Does anyone know about where the door ajar module is located or if there is a repair for it. I have priced a new cluster and I am glad I'm a ford wholesale customer. If I must replace the whole cluster is there something nicer I can use and still have my tach and Trans temp?

 

As far as I know, the logic for the dome lights is in a microprocessor in the cluster. There is a battery saver relay that powers the domelights, and also gives power to the door functions and I think the radio, for a period of time after you pull the key out. Some of the accessories are powered by an accessory relay which is in the main fuse box under the dash. The battery saver relay in the cluster powers the accessory relay.

 

I forgot to mention, the battery saver is worth it's weight in gold pressed platnum. It has and still works.

 

Just to make sure, you shorted all the plugs to the switches and the door ajar light stayed on. I am guessing you also let all the plugs hang unplugged, and the light stayed on too? I don't know if the switches are normally closed or normally open.

 

I had a real pretty mess, all four doors open, door panels laiding on each tire, wire harness hanging out. All short, each shorted individually, all open, and one open at a time. If both front door were open and the backs closed it would turn off. If either front was closed the light would be on, if both front were closed the light would be on.

 

This stuff on the new trucks is very confusing to me. First off, I have 2002 diagrams at home, but I can't find were the door ajar switches go into the cluster. I keep looking in instrument cluster diagrams. The only thing I see is the relays that power the domelights. I can't seem to find the switches going in.

I am looking now at a 2005 diagram of a f150. I do not know if it's the same, but when I look at the instrument cluster diagrams, I see the door ajar switches going into the cluster. But they only show front left and front right. But I did find a diagram in the 2005 group that showed 4 doors, but the switches go into a "Body security module". Is this related to the VSM you just replaced?

I think I am just going around in circles.

 

It should be the same, the door switches pluged into any case. Also when I replaced the Vehicle Security module my power locks worked again. Possibly when it was killed, it also shorted out the next part up the line and the cluster is the only part left?

 

All of these modules are connected by a communication network. The dealers have a scanner that can get on the network and do lots of troubleshooting. You hate to guess with a part that is expensive like that. I wonder how much they would charge to look at it for you?

 

were you able to fix your problem? I have the same problem, I dont know where to start,thanks

 

Replaced the cluster and still have the problem.

 

These systems are complex enough now, where they are like the fuel injection system. You pretty much need to communicate with the computer to find out what may be wrong (or not wrong) with the system. Unfortunately, as far as I know, the Ford dealers are the only ones with the correct scanner. The government stepped in and created a standard for the engine computers for all makes called OBDII(I guess they are good for something sometimes), but I do not think there is a standard for the chassis network.

It's very hard for a local shop or private person to be able to afford to buy all the different scanners for all the different makes of cars and trucks.

 

Did you ever find the problem? A friend is having a similar problem with an 02 F250, and he is coming over tomorrow to work on it.

 

Nope. I am at a standstill until I buddy up to factory tech.

 

I reached in and found the two wires going to each door ajar switch. There is usually a black wire and a white/colored wire.

I was so fed up with these stupid switches that I cut the colored/white wire. You'll have to decide what you want to do. I live 8 miles of dirt road into my place. It was the dirt that caused the switch to short. I knew that it would happen again so I snipped.

Door ajar light ON...One switch is shorted
Door ajar light OFF..All switches open