I got just as tired of fooling with the "door ajar" switch in the door latch as you guys. So I fixed mine....permanently.

Here's what I did:

I removed the driver's side door panel (this was the side I believed to be causing problems). Looking back into the door toward the latch, there are TWO switches side by side. The one farthest back is the switch that controls the "door ajar" light on the instrument cluster. I traced the ground wire from it, and it is the black one (since there are two switches, there are four wires. Red/ red with black stripe/ yellow/ and black I think). The two going to the door ajar switch are yellow and black.

Removing the switches is not necessary. You don't even have to bother with fooling around inside the door. The four wires coming off of the two switches are bound together with electrical tape, and they run together along the bottom outside of the door, and eventually end up near the inside door latch at the top. You will be able to see them just by standing there looking at the door.

I used a knife (very carefully) to cut a section of the electrical tape away, exposing the four wires. (Again, at this time I'm not even working inside the door, because the wires are easily seen running across near the lower middle part of the door with the door panel removed). I found the black one, and cut it. Then I used electrical tape to tape up the ends so they wouldn't ground out again.

That's it! No more door ajar light....EVER!

I think my passenger side switch is going bad too, so I'm going to do it the same way today. Keep in mind that when you open the doors after cutting the wire, the dome light will not come on. You CAN still use the switch on the dash to turn on the dome light. You CAN still use the switch on the dome light too. And if you use remote keyless entry, the dome light also will still come on. But you'll never be annoyed with "door ajar" and the dome light staying on when it shouldn't be....EVER again!

(I'm not responsible for any damage to your truck if you try this. It is just the way I decided to solve the problem permanently, and it works for me great so far.)

If you have any questions, PM me.

 

And most likely the alarm system will no longer function correctly. (if installed)

 

My truck has no alarm system...all I have is anti-theft (with the little blinking light on the dash) and all it does is effectively disable the starter without the proper key. This system still functions perfectly fine, and I am unaware of any other alarm system Ford offered on a Ranger.

I have no idea how an aftermarket alarm system would be affected. I haven't really thought about it any because most people I know don't use alarm systems on a pickup truck. But I wouldn't think it would disable the alarm system at all because aftermarket alarm systems get all new and exclusive wiring.

 

Most aftermarket alarms use the sensors in the door to detect door openings. Cheaper models use the current from the overhead light in the cab.

 

WX,

I've noticed that you like trying out new ideas and such . Thanks for the feedback on the door switch mod. I feel fortunate to be one of the few people (it seems) who have not had this pesky problem with their Ranger.

I am still wondering about the computer, though. Have you had a chance to check to see if your changes triggered any type of error code? Is it possible for you to hook up a scanner to see if your computer is noticing anything out of the ordinary?

 

OK, well then if you have an aftermarket alarm system this way around the door ajar light might not be worth it.

I was just sharing the way I got around the problem, in case anyone was interested. It's working perfect for me so far...I'm SO happy when I close my door and the dome light goes off like it's supposed to now. What a relief!

 

Of course, some codes can be set without triggering the "check engine" light. I have not been able to hook a scanner up yet to see if any codes are set.

I can tell you this: My check engine light is not on. My truck still drives normal, and from what I can tell everything else is operating in normal OEM fashion. It's just that I don't have to look at that light on the dash anymore...thank God. On a 2-door, compact pickup truck, it's EASY to tell if your door isn't shut all the way. I never saw justification for a "door ajar" light anyway. Maybe on the Explorer, esp. if you have kids....but not on a Ranger.

 

I have found one minor problem. With the wire to the "door ajar" switch cut, the chime will no longer alert you when you accidentally leave your headlights on and open the door. Not a big deal for me, but some people may want to take this into consideration.

Otherwise, things are still going great so far. Door ajar...never again! (Can you tell I'm happy about this )

 

WX... -You did good!

I don't know if it is possible to get into the door jamb but you could also try retrofitting the door with the old style dome light switches that actually worked... -They are self adjusting for position if you get them installed.