Dome light
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,529
Likes: 35
From: Kansas
My wife took the '98 Ranger to visit the MIL a few months ago and had the same problem. She called me on the phone and I told her to liberally spray WD40 into the door latches and open and close the doors a dozen times. So she asked her mom if she had some on hand and was told that she did. A few minutes later, my wife called me and told me that it DIDN'T WORK. It was late, so she pulled the dome light and went to bed.
The next morning I got on the phone with her again and we went through the same process. Still didn't work. I was ready to order some new switches for the doors when I found out that she had been spraying GARAGE ROLLER BEARING LUBE spray into the latches. GRRRRR....!!
Why don't they listen? When I asked her why she did it, she just said that the MIL told her it was better stuff than WD-40.
The wife then went out and bought some WD-40 and tried it again. Door switches are now good and dome light stays off.
Why do they have to doubt us?
The next morning I got on the phone with her again and we went through the same process. Still didn't work. I was ready to order some new switches for the doors when I found out that she had been spraying GARAGE ROLLER BEARING LUBE spray into the latches. GRRRRR....!!
Why don't they listen? When I asked her why she did it, she just said that the MIL told her it was better stuff than WD-40.
The wife then went out and bought some WD-40 and tried it again. Door switches are now good and dome light stays off.
Why do they have to doubt us?
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,851
Likes: 111
From: SW Va
Not certain about what you mean about "the switches are good", but sticking door switch actuators are a common problem on Fords & you'll find a thread link on the subject by scrolling down to the Miscellaneous section of this forums "Tech Info" thread, located atop the thread index page. So if you haven't already tried spritzing them with WD-40, or the like treatment as Dan's suggested, try that first. Yes there are other things in the lighting circuit that could act out & cause your woes & you can look up your year/model vehicle interior lighting pictorial diagram here Search Wiring Diagrams. If you don't have the owner manual for fuse & relay locations, scroll down a little further in the Misc section to find a link to a no cost manual download. Let us know what you find.
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New User
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 8
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97 Ranger door ajar awirch.
I removed the switch, it tested good. Problem is now re-installing. An on line video show a simple task, but I am having it difficult. Is there an easy way to re-install the switch?
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,851
Likes: 111
From: SW Va
Are you having a problem installing the switch in the arm rest, or the lock actuator in the door? If its the actuator in the door, try using a mirror to help align the actuator so you can snap it into place by feel. Its in kind of a blind spot. Be sure to have connected the lock rod curved piece & electrical connector in place first.
The actuators are a common problem part. They have a thermistor in series that limits current to the solenoid, so if some kid holds the lock switch down, it won't over heat, but it also drops voltage to the actuator & as rust & corrosion build up inside, they get wimpy working & won't be strong enough to work the mechanicals sometimes. There is a rework video on one of the other forums that shows how to drill out the rivets, open it up & jumper the thermistor, so we get full B+ voltage to the solenoid & have them work with Gusto!!!! So, if your locks are working wimpy, maybe consider the rework before re-installing the actuator.
The actuators are a common problem part. They have a thermistor in series that limits current to the solenoid, so if some kid holds the lock switch down, it won't over heat, but it also drops voltage to the actuator & as rust & corrosion build up inside, they get wimpy working & won't be strong enough to work the mechanicals sometimes. There is a rework video on one of the other forums that shows how to drill out the rivets, open it up & jumper the thermistor, so we get full B+ voltage to the solenoid & have them work with Gusto!!!! So, if your locks are working wimpy, maybe consider the rework before re-installing the actuator.
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New User
Joined: May 2015
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Likes: 0
It is in the door. From what you say there is no simple way to re-install. My mistake for removing it.
Thanks
Thanks
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Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,516
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
Dont have diagrams for a 97 Ranger, but theres probably an interior lamp relay under the hood (look in your owners manual). When you yank it, it should click. If not i'd try swapping it with another identical relay.
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: SW Va
This video shows some of the things to look for & how to align & connect things before snapping the actuator back in place. Maybe it'll have a piece of info that'll help clarify things.
how to install ranger door lock actuator - Bing video
how to install ranger door lock actuator - Bing video
New User
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 19
Likes: 1
if you have rear swing doors like my 08 ranger you might find that the top hinge is holding the door shut but the bottom might not be latched, happened to me and until I figured it out my door light would stay on at random times, just a thought
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