96 Explorer door ajar dash light coming from tailgate.
 

Since yesterday the door ajar light stays on and interior lights stay on a bit after engine is started. The lights even stay on a while after leaving vehicle and locking the doors. I do know that this is coming from the tailgate or window because the rear wiper won't work.

Now I do know there are no old style button light switches on these. I know it's some kind of sensor that does the job. The problem is that I do not know exactly where this is located or what exactly to look for (my Haynes manual isn't helping). Also, once I locate it, what should I look for as the cause and what I should do to fix it. Any help is greatly appreciated.

The problem ended about 2 hours ago and all is fine for now. I still would like to get at the sensor and check it out.

Another one of Fords "better ideas" was to put the door switches in the door latch. Try spraying all of them with WD-40 & see what that does.

In the latch? What a stupid thing to do. Must have been a former Chrysler engineer to concoct that "brilliant" idea.

I just wish all car manufacturers would have just stuck with the old reliable button switches in the door jamb. Never had a problem with those except for the switch for the tailgate on my '89 B2.