The truck: 1997 Ranger, 4.0, 145k miles.

The problem: dome lights won't go off.

Thanks to previous posts on this forum, I located those doggone switches in the door latch.

Other folks have suggested spraying switches with WD-40 or electrical contact cleaner. These treatments did nothing, so I bought new switches (Ford Motorcraft part SW-5528) for about $16 each at the local Ford dealer. Maybe there are cheaper aftermarket replacements, I didn't check.

I started with the passenger side door. It took me over five hours to figure out how to take everything apart. Once I figured it out, tThe driver's door took about ninety minutes, and I work pretty slow, so a better mechanic could probably do this a lot faster.

Here are my instructions. As always, these are provided for informational purposes only. It's up to you to decide if they are worth following.

1. Remove the two Phillips screws that secure the arm rest.

2. Pry off the arm rest. It is held in place by spring clips.

3. Remove the Phillips screw at the bottom rear of the door panel.

4. Remove the Phillips screw that was behind the arm rest.

5. Pry off the plastic cover on the window crank. Remove the retaining screw (use a T20 bit). Remove the crank and the plastic washer behind it.

6. Remove the door lock stem.

7. Lift up and remove the door panel.

8. Pull back or remove the vapor barrier.

9. Optional – Remove the baffle at the lower rear corner of the door. (I took it out to get more access inside the door.)

10. Remove the 11mm bolt that secures the guide rail for the rear edge of the window.

11. Detach the plastic fastener that holds the door latch cable to the door frame.

12. Slide the window guide rail down and out of the way.

13. Detach the electrical connector from the switch at the bottom of the latch.

14. On the driver’s door, there is a second connector. Detach this also.

15. Locate the door lock. Remove the E-clip that connects the lock to the rods that unlock the latch. Slide the tab off the lock.

16. Remove the three bolts that hold the door latch to the door frame.

17. Locate the plastic tab that secures the switch in place. The word TAB is printed on it.

18. Lift the tab, rotate the switch a quarter-turn counter-clockwise and remove the switch.

19. Reverse these instructions to put everything back together.

Notes:

· I read a horror story about rust caused by improper replacement of the vapor barrier. I used lots of contact cement to reinforce the adhesive when I reassembled the door.

· If your eyes are sharp and you are more coordinated than I am, you might be able to lift the tab (step 18) with a locksmith’s pick while everything is still in place on the door.

Good luck!