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97 dome light

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Old Jan 14, 2004 | 09:14 AM
  #1  
sodbuster35's Avatar
sodbuster35
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97 dome light

my dome light/door lights have been staying on even when the door is shut lately. It was such a pain, that I decided to take the bulbs out. But now of course i cant see when I open the door at night unless I turn my map lights on. I know that there is no longer a button switch in the door jam like ford installed in years past, so where is it, and how hard is it to replace? I've been told that it is now electrical sensors in the door latch, but I wanted a little more assurance of this fact before I tried to tear the door apart.
 
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Old Jan 14, 2004 | 09:20 AM
  #2  
Jason305's Avatar
Jason305
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This is from the FAQs.

Q: My door ajar light and dome light are constantly on, even when the door is closed!

A: This is a VERY common problem in the 97 and later trucks. It has to do with a poorly designed micro switch in the door latch. It’s this switch that determines when the door is open or closed. If it gets dirty and gummed up, it doesn’t operate properly, never registers the door closing. This is what keeps your dome light, door ajar light, and chime all active. Fortunately, the fix is simple and cheap. Open your door and heavily spray WD-40 into the door latch. Really drench it. Open and shut the door a few times and repeat. This will clean the switch and restore normal operation.
 
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Old Jan 14, 2004 | 09:22 AM
  #3  
Bob Ayers's Avatar
Bob Ayers
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From: Durham, NC
First, welcome to FTE!!!!

Yes, the door switches are a very common problem on Fords!!!
The switches are mounted on the latch mechanism in the doors.
Try spraying the latch mechanism in the door with WD-40, and
open/close the door a few times. This usually frees up the switches.
 
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Old Jan 14, 2004 | 06:16 PM
  #4  
BlueOvalFitter's Avatar
BlueOvalFitter
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Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Cajun Country
I'm sure it would be a good idea to add this to the normal PM list. Like,every oil change just give the door latches a shot of WD-40 and no future worries!
 
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