Ford Explorer door warning light problem

[CigarGuy]

My wife's Explorer(2006)passenger side rear door is triggering a warning light that will not turn off. I think it says something like "door isn't shut tight". I greased it up a month ago and it would turn off, now it's back on and I can't seem to fix it. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[Whoaru99]

Dunno if it's a similar switch but the Lincoln Continental my SO used to drive had issues with door switch too. It's been a while, but I sprayed into the switch with WD-40(?) to clean it. Seems to me I had to do it two or three times before it finally stayed off for good...well, for good as it means until her son blew up the engine.

[CigarGuy]

Thanks, tried that-not working

[fishing tech]

Does it say right rear door ajar? If not it could be another door. They have a push button switch that gets corroded up. You will have to replace it.

[CigarGuy]

Yes, it does say that. Where is the switch located? Is it fairly easy to replace? Thanks....

[Scott K]

It is twisted onto the rear door latch. You will need to remove the door panel, and remove the screws to the door latch, then twist the switch off of the latch.

[CigarGuy]

Wow, that was fast! Thanks...

[CigarGuy]

Ok, finally got around to fixing the switch. Replaced it and it still says "right rear door ajar". I replaced the switch on the rear passenger door. What should I try next? To make matters worse I can open the side door now! The power lock unlocks the door, but it won't open. I also couldn't remember where the switch plugged into and had to ask a place where I was getting my oil in my other truck changed. This is why I hate working on vehicles! Help! Thanks.....

[Scott K]

On this system, it is a closed circuit with the door closed, so if you unplug the switch, one wire should have a ground, the other wire is the signal wire that comes from the SJB module. If you take a jumper wire and jump the 2 wires together, it should read closed, if you open the door, it will be an open circuit, like unplugging the switch. So you can have a bad ground going to the switch, or a bad wire from the switch, to the SJB module, or another bad switch.

[CigarGuy]

Thanks Scott, any ideas on what I did that I can't get the door to open? What can I do to get it open???

[Scott K]

Is the child safety lock engaged? Or i is possible the switch was installed wrong, and the lock is stuck on, it is also possible the latch itself is bad. I think the first step will be to get the door open somehow, and pull the door panel again.

[WalleyeChaser]

Thanks Scott, any ideas on what I did that I can't get the door to open? What can I do to get it open???

This may sound silly but did you remember to hook up the cables or rods to the latch or exterior handle and interior handle? Some vehicles just have a rod that sits in a hole while others clip in. I don't recall how that particular model is set up. Do you have a picture of the old latch by chance?

[CigarGuy]

Thanks guy's. The rod clips into a plastic clip, I'm pretty sure I clipped it back into the rod. I don't believe I can get at the child safety knob with the door shut. The door lock goes up and down when I hit the switch-if that means anything. If I take the cover off the door latch can I access anything to open the door?

[Jeremy airjer W]

You need a lockout kit or bite the bullet and ruin the interior door panel.

[Scott K]

You may have not adjusted the door latch rod in their correctly, remove the inside door handle, and grab the rod by hand, and pull it, or push it and see if it will open.

[delcecchi]

Child safety lock still lets you open door from outside. It only stops opening from inside.

[fishing tech]

Scott has it. The rod for the outside door handle probably was not set right. Always trip the latches and see if the handles will open the latch before you close the door. That way you know if it all works or not.

[CigarGuy]

Thanks..... I'll take look at it in the next couple of days...I'm sick or working on it. It took 3 auto parts stores, a dealer and finally, Factory Motor Parts to get the switch and about 3 hours in the heat yesterday working on it, only to fail! I need a break before I wreck something else