Continuous Door Ajar Light

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Dec 18, 2005 | 10:09 PM

combat wo

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New User

Joined: Dec 2005

Posts: 4

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Continuous Door Ajar Light

Hello and this is my first post and I have been observing the forum for a couple years and now I have a problem and I know I have come to the right place for help. While driving today I could hear my 2002 7.3L Diesel door locks sound like they were being activated by the auto door lock opener on the key chain. This happened about 6 times. I looked to see if the lock open swith on the key chain had lodged between the steering column then the bell went off and the door ajar light illuminated and stayed on. The dome lights now do not come on when any doors are opened and the clock stays on sometimes after the key is turned off. The door unlock switch on the drivers door does not actuate any locks. Haven't driven my rig for sometime due to being on deployment with the military so I appreciate any assistance. Thanks much in advance.

Dec 18, 2005 | 10:38 PM

guzzle92

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Feb 2005

Posts: 1,797

Likes: 1

From: Northern Colorado

Welcome back! and welcome to FTE

Sounds to me like your VSM (vehicle security module) has bitten the dust. The VSM controls the door locks, door ajar light, dome light, fobs, and a number of other functions. I had to replace mine when the fobs would not unlock the doors any longer. It has to be re-programmed by the dealer due to vehicle specific information that it contains.

Dec 19, 2005 | 08:51 AM

RAMPAGE_F350

Posting Guru

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 1,768

Likes: 1

From: Central Alabama

combat, dont feel bad I have the same problem with a few extras. In addition to what you have described my passenger unlock/lock button is inop, auto headlights inop, dome light inop, fob alarm activate inop, the only thing that does seem to work correctly is the fob unlock/lock feature.
Hey guzzle, can I pull the VSM out and take it to the stealership for them to flash or does it need to be in the truck? I'm tring to get around the labor of removal and installation.

Dec 19, 2005 | 08:59 AM

combat wo

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Dec 2005

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Thanks Rampage and Guzzle. I am pretty sure I am stuck with a bad VSM. I have the same question as Rampage. Also Guzzle do you have the part number for the VSM. The dealer ship here is going to rape me for sure. Where is the VSM and how easy is it to get to? I have done all the work on my truck as far as installing numerous gages, lift, and coolant and tranny filters so I can handle about anything. Thanks fellers.

Dec 19, 2005 | 09:01 AM

guzzle92

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Feb 2005

Posts: 1,797

Likes: 1

From: Northern Colorado

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAMPAGE_F350

.........
Hey guzzle, can I pull the VSM out and take it to the stealership for them to flash or does it need to be in the truck? I'm tring to get around the labor of removal and installation.

Basically No... But you may be able to save a few dollars by changing it out yourself. I bought a new VSM for $125 from the stealership, put it in myself but found that nothing but the fobs worked right. I left the new VSM on the firewall, plugged in the old one while sitting on the trans. hump next to the go pedal. The dealer must "scan" the old one and retrieve the info in it and reflash it to the new one. They must be plugged in to do that. The stealership charged me $80 to scan and reflash.

The VSM is a real pain to get to and you really have to remove the lower center dash panel to have access to it. You can check with the dealer on how much the total job would be vs what they will sell the VSM and have a tech reflash and decide if there is enough savings to you to warrent doing yourself. I shopped around and got my dealer to match the lowest quote I got on the VSM.