I got a new door ajar switch for my truck. It's been getting worse and worse lately so I'm going to take the door panel off this weekend and replace the switch. What I want to know is this: for those of you who have removed this switch...will I be able to change the switches out without removing the entire latch assembly?

If I do have to remove the latch assembly, is it an aggravating job with all the moving parts and everything? I'm trying to estimate how much time this job will take. I can strip the door down and see the latch in minutes. But I'm just now going to try and replace this switch.

Thanks.

 

hey wxboy, how much did that swith cost ya? and do you know the part number?


-nathan

 

You will probably have to remove the 3 screws that hold the latch to the door. Makes access to the switch easier. Also the rear window track may need to be removed and pulled out of the way. Even with all this, it should take only about 30 minutes to do. Also, a lot of these switches don't need to be replaced, JUST CLEANED. If you spray wd40 or something gummy to lube the latch. it eventually makes the switch stick. Use liquid graphite lock lube instead. Makes a world of difference

 

Thanks for the help!

And RedRanger....I got the switch from autozone.com I believe. It was about $15.00 with shipping and everything. I'll let you know how it works.

 

thanks wxboy. i am really tryin to put this off. but i have already ruined my battery and am sick of takin the fuse in and out when i need the windows er 4x4.


-nathan

 

I replaced the door ajar switch on the drivers door today on my 1998 Ranger. It was agrrevating and time consuming. I ended up pulling the door latch out so I could get a better view of how and where the switch goes in the door latch.

About a year and half ago I replaced the door ajar switch on the passeger door. Had the same aggrevating time replacing it also. The passenger door ajar switch would act up during rainy days. The door ajar switch on the drivers door would act when the weather was warm.

The enigineers should come up with a better design. I know how it goes they are real brain smart but lack common sense.

 

I have had intermittant door ajar problems with my driver side door... Mine is a 2002 and only 7k miles now
the problems happened about 3k and 5k.

I think I goto dealer at about 35000 miles and have them all replaced

Rand

 

I a have same problem,My door ajar light on dash stays on and the interior light? is there a fuse to eliminate only the door ajar light? or is there more on this fuse? 1998 ranger 4x4 3.0

 

hey jeff4ranger, you can pull the red 10 amp #26 fuse, but if you do you can mot use the 4wd or yer power windows if you have them.


-nathan

 

Well guys, here is an update. I took my door apart. Took FOREVER to get the old switch out. Then I couldn't see to put the new one in, so I had to remove the three bolts for the latch. In order to do that I had to remove the window guide. Then one of the plastic clips on the switch broke. What a MESS!

Finally I realized that the new switch wouldn't work. The tab that snaps and holds it in place was in a slightly different position than the OEM one, so I ended up having to clean the old one with electric-contact cleaner and put it back in. A waste of $15!

Now, 10 days later, the door ajar light is coming on again. Guys, this is one of the WORST ideas Ford ever had. And to think they KEEP building them like this is a nightmare. I thought only GM engineers did ignorant things like this.

Don't waste your time cleaning the old switch. Take your truck to a dealer to avoid the hassle, and make them put a NEW switch in.

 

FORD= Forgive Our Retarded Designers

Sometimes it's also the latch causing the problem. Make sure there is nothing sticky inside either the latch or the switch.

 

Ranger, I really had a good laugh at your defenition of what FORD really means.

That is 100% the truth. Now that the door switches are replaced with new ones I wonder how long they will last? Considering Forgive Our Retarded Designers.