Ranger door ajar problem
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New User
Joined: Oct 2005
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Ranger door ajar problem
Hello; Several months ago before I purchased my 1998 Ranger XLT Supercab pickup I did a search on the truck and one known problem was the "door ajar feature". I soon found out right after my purchase what was meant by that. Sometimes the "door ajar" lite on the dash stays on and the interior dome lites also stays on, sometimes until I pull the correct fuse. Anyway the article stated the the repair was not to complicated and could be done any ford dealer for about $125.00. My question is, can anybody tell me if I might be able to do the repair myself, and what parts might be required. Thanks. jerry
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,748
Likes: 16
From: Connecticut
Welcome to FTE!
The switch for the "door ajar" light is in the door itself. Apparantly it gets gummed up or moisture can gather on it which prevents it from working properly. Spraying some WD-40 or electrical contact cleaner on it usually does the trick.
FWIW, I've read posts from people who had the switch replaced, and yet, a year or so later the same thing was happening.
The switch for the "door ajar" light is in the door itself. Apparantly it gets gummed up or moisture can gather on it which prevents it from working properly. Spraying some WD-40 or electrical contact cleaner on it usually does the trick.
FWIW, I've read posts from people who had the switch replaced, and yet, a year or so later the same thing was happening.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 144
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From: Englewood, CO
I am one of those Rockledge is talking about. I took my 96 4X4 in and had a it decarbonized. While they had it, they swapped out both switches in the doors. Wasn't even a month, and it was back doing the same thing. A squirt of WD-40 and it's been good to go for over two years.
I was looking around on the web and found a site that had the proceedure for swapping out these switches. It also included photos. Now I might have remembered it except, I don't see the reason to spend that much money on the parts when a simple squirt in each door latch fixes it. Besides, with the bikes from 3 kids sitting around, there always is a can of that stuff around here.
I was looking around on the web and found a site that had the proceedure for swapping out these switches. It also included photos. Now I might have remembered it except, I don't see the reason to spend that much money on the parts when a simple squirt in each door latch fixes it. Besides, with the bikes from 3 kids sitting around, there always is a can of that stuff around here.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 623
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From: Blytheville, AR
I'm new to FTE, wish I would've joined a long time ago. I've since had the door ajar 'switches' replaced and with no luck, it was still going. Finally, I just wired the two wire together, cutting them from the sensor to where the switches are out of the system. Will try the WD40! Thnks guys.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 8,462
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From: Durant, OK (SOSU)
Can anyone tell me how to totally disable the door chime? I have nice speakers in the doors, and would like to be able to open the doors and play the radio loud sometimes without that DING DING DING constantly there. It's cool if I lose the dome light AS LONG AS I can turn it on using the switch. Thank ya.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 10,562
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From: South Jersey
Originally Posted by natebaker
I'm new to FTE, wish I would've joined a long time ago. I've since had the door ajar 'switches' replaced and with no luck, it was still going. Finally, I just wired the two wire together, cutting them from the sensor to where the switches are out of the system. Will try the WD40! Thnks guys.
Let us know how things go.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,417
Likes: 3
From: Durham, NC
Originally Posted by RangerPilot
just keep trying it, it will fix it eventually, you might need to work it with your hand if you can.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,858
Likes: 3
From: Friendswood, Texas
1 - The switch is cheap (something like $15.00)
2 - Switch is not that difficult to replace but does require removing the door panel and the arms and hands of a contortionist. Expect scraped hands when it's done but it's an easy $125.00 to save. First one will be the toughest to replace.
3 - WD-40 will fix the problem. May take a while and multiple applications the first time you do this but it will eventually work and replacing the switch really isn't necessary.
4 - As a manitenenace item, spray WD 40 into the door through the door handle and locking mechanism and any othe hole you can find at that end of the door every time you change oil. Problem whould not reoccur if you do this.
I changed four or five of these before I learned of FTE and the WD 40 fix on this thread. Hence, I got pretty good at changing them out and had spares laying around to cut down on my trips to the dealer. Replacements only lasted 6 months to a year at best. Since using the WD-40, and including this as a maintenance item, no more problem, and it's coming up on a year.
2 - Switch is not that difficult to replace but does require removing the door panel and the arms and hands of a contortionist. Expect scraped hands when it's done but it's an easy $125.00 to save. First one will be the toughest to replace.
3 - WD-40 will fix the problem. May take a while and multiple applications the first time you do this but it will eventually work and replacing the switch really isn't necessary.
4 - As a manitenenace item, spray WD 40 into the door through the door handle and locking mechanism and any othe hole you can find at that end of the door every time you change oil. Problem whould not reoccur if you do this.
I changed four or five of these before I learned of FTE and the WD 40 fix on this thread. Hence, I got pretty good at changing them out and had spares laying around to cut down on my trips to the dealer. Replacements only lasted 6 months to a year at best. Since using the WD-40, and including this as a maintenance item, no more problem, and it's coming up on a year.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 8,462
Likes: 4
From: Durant, OK (SOSU)
Most people do the WD-40 at every oil change, nice timing, keeps it working good, and cheap, I mean come on, doesn't EVERYONE have a can of that stuff laying around? Liquid duct tape it is.