Hi everyone,

I have a 2000 Excursion Ltd (7.3L Power Stroke Diesel).

I have a problem where the linterior (and running board) lights will not go off. It's as though it thinks the doors are opened.

I have tried opening and slamming each door a few times, and still the lights stay on.

When I press the key-fob to lock all the doors, I get the double horn indicating a door is opened, yet all doors are shut and locked.

When I go to drive the lights won't turn off until I hit 15 MPH (which is when I assume the computer overrides the door sensor).

The lights also do eventually go off when it is parked, but, only after about 15 minutes of inactivity.

This is becoming a frustrating problem, now more so because my batteries are now too weak to turn over this massive motor to start it (was doing a lot of work with the truck over the last few days without having started it -- bad me).

I've read a lot of posts about spraying WD-40 in the latches, that doesn't seem to have done the trick. Is it possible just to disable the stupid door sensors? The only fuse that controls these lights is also on the same circuit for the power windows -- and if you pull that fuse you also can't switch the transmission into DRIVE.

Any help would be appreciated.
Kris

PS: Another question, now that I have 2 weak batteries, anyone know how to jump these things? I tried one of those portable car starters and it didn't work -- I didn't think it would as it only provides 400 Amps (at 12V). My other car is a 2005 Pontiac GTO, but, I'm hesitant to hook that up to those 2 batteries and and the big 7.3 PSD.

 

I had the same problem although it was happening with the door ajar light. Did the WD-40 trick, only I used compressed air and blew it out, Did the same thing 3-4 times, blew it out nice and dry on the last time, BINGO! Been over a year, no problems, and I do 16 miles of dirt each day.

As far as the jumping, I've used my Honda Accord to do it, the trick is to let it sit with the cables hooked up for about 15 minutes, then have someone run the jumping vehicle up to about 2000 rpm when you try the X, it works.

Good luck, replace your batteries ASAP, it sucks to be stranded.

 

fatswany:

Thanks for the reply. I'm wondering if I have a different issue as opposed to the 'door ajar' problem. As I never see the 'door ajar' light, only the interior and running board lights.

As for jumping -- sounds like a typical jump start, just of course letting for more charge time, and getting the 'jumpper' vehicle to rev up to provide the extra needed power to crank this thing.

It shouldn't matter which battery on the X to hook to, correct? If they're hooked in parallel, then both batteries like terminals should be effectivly hooked together so by attaching to 1 battery you are attached to the other?

Now, hopefully the building management won't mind that I'm running the vehicle in the underground garage for an extended period of time.

 

Spray the wd40 into the latch at a slight upward angle, thats what did it for me. I soaked everything including spraaying in at an upward angle, i guess thats where the switch is at. If no one else has been in your truck lately, its probably your drivers door that went bad, concentrate on that one. Also clen up and wd40 taht may leak out of the bottom of the door if you spray a lot.

As far as running it for extended periods indoors, there should be fans in teh building an dit shouldnt be a problem. I manage a 2500 spot garage and we have sensors for carbon monoxide that trigger the fans. Now if theres no fans then thats a whole nother issue altogether. Also see if they building has another jumper you can use or a truckw ith cables. When our jumper box wont do it we pull the F250 out and hook up cables and can fire damn near anything with it.

 

I just got the beast started. The GTO had no problem jumping it at all, makes sense it does have a 6L V8 with 400Hp... must imply a substantial alternator/power system.

While I was starting it, it just occured to me that my 'Door Ajar' indicator lights must be out (don't I feel dumb). As when I switch the truck to on, those lights don't appear nor when I actually have the door opened. So, now I'm certain I have the typical 'door ajar' problem -- plus a burnt out light in my dash. I'll try spraying those latches out again.

Seems these excursions have a lot of problems dealing with the whole latch/lock areas. Did I mention I'm also in the process of replacing 4 out of 5 of my power door lock actuators This site has been wonderful for instructions on that. Perhaps while I have my latches out to replace the actuators I could dip the whole mechanisim in to some cleaner and then re-lubricate them.

 

glad you got it figured out

When you replace the burnt out bulb, check to see if you can separate the little grey plastic part from the actual bulb (I know you can do it on the bigger, black ones) That way, you can just replace the actual bulb part and same some $. Check with your local auto parts store, because they may very well have the bulb

Isaac

 

I have done everything short of disconnecting the rear door sensing system and it still does it when it gets wet and since I live in the warm and DRY Pacific NW,you can just figger how much time that door ajar lite is on...It gets to the point where I don't open the rear doors UNLESS it's absolutely necessary.. I have sprayed WD-40 into everything that looks as if it could be a sensor and have also hit it with compressed air and it still does it..Just exactly where are the sensors fro the rear doors.. Is there one for all the doors or is there one for each????

 

Spraying WD40 into the door lock worked like a miracle this problem has vexed me for several years because it appeared to be intermittent until today.

 

This must be a common problem. I just got my first Excursion 3 days ago. The first day all went well but the second day the lights started to acted up. The interior lights and the running board lights would stay on. I sprayed some WD40 in the latches and the lights worked as they should have tonight. I just hope this continues to work.

 

I just had posted same problem on here today-I'll try the air and the wd40 on my 2001 Ex V-10 tonite. Now if I can just solve my tire pressure dilemna hahahhaa. Thanks

 

I actually pulled the dash apart and found the wire that powers the interior/exterior lights relay. I put a switch in the circuit and that worked fine. Driving with the interior lights on at night is a PITA and dangerous. Finally after more troubleshooting I replaced the interior/exterior "delay timer" relay and that fixed my problem.

DSMMH

 

wow sounds involved-I Think I;ll try the compressed air and/or 4d40 first then if no good I'll do yr fix-thanks

 

Actually, it is not that involved. The delay timer relay is located in the power panel under the steering column. Consult your owners manual for the correct relay. You can just swap with a similar realy to see if that fixes your problem. There are a lot of them in the power panel.

DSMMH

 

When mine acted up I soaked everything with wd-40 and had no luck. Until I realised that the latches on the rear did not get any wd-40. This is the hatch back part of the door that raises up. Try hitting the side latches(you will see them ) with the wd-40. It worked for me. Might have to really soak them. I did all of mine twice before it worked. 11 months and still no problem. good luck.