Door ajar sensor problem (located)

[Karbuster]

So the ranger I have has had an electrical gremlin since the day I bought it and that is that one or both of the crew doors (truck is super crew, 2+2) door ajar sensor is not functioning properly.
I have poked around in the shell of the door and since found one handle, two latches and one wire that splits into two, one ends at what I assume to be the sensor as it ends at the lower latch and the other ends at the door speaker.
I think that the door ajar issue is attributed to dirt and grime buildup in the latch because of its location in the door.
What I'm wondering is are they just two wires (positive and negative) and if I cut the wires and splice them together does anyone see a problem there or should I clean the latch?

posted from Nexus 5

 

[JoshT]

What is it doing? Dash light or dome light? Not coming on or not going off?

I know on the older Rangers having the door opened makes the connection, and door closed brakes the connection. Usually they get sticky and stay in the door closed position. As much as I hate WD-40 that was the fix for it, squirt some in there and work the plunger. While you don't have the plunger style, I would imagine that yours has gotten sticky and just needs to be freed up.

Your switch should be right at the bottom of the door latch. Since the switch works by grounding the circuit when door is opened, splicing those wires together will make the problem worse, it would be hard wired for door ajar on all the time. If you can't figure out a way to make it free it up, or don't have time to, try unplugging the connector so it can't make ground, that should turn the door ajar light off. You are better off trying to clean and lube the latch, they could probably use it anyway.


FYI Rangers don't have a "super crew" it's an extended cab. Even with 4 doors the U.S. market designation is extended cab, the only "crew" cab Rangers are foreign market.

 

[cvar]

Personally, I'd just clean it by giving it a bath in WD-40.
http://visualbits.net/Ford Ranger 2001-2008/DOORS.pdf

 

[Karbuster]

I thought about that but wd40 is a great attractant for dirt and grunge so I would just be exacerbating the problem

posted from Nexus 5

 

[JoshT]

It doesn't have to be WD-40. Pretty much any spray lube that can get in there will do.

 

[PlumCrazy]

I used to clean mine about every oil change because the dome light would stick on....Then I bought a replacement from NAPA for like 5 bucks.. been over a year with no issues.

Dry lube is the best bet, any thing like WD40 makes it worse.

Sent from my XT907 using CrapaTalk

 

[Karbuster]

Dry lube like graphite? And am i correct in assuming that it is the lower latch

posted from Nexus 5

 

[PlumCrazy]

Its in the middle latch. Graphite works, clean with brake cleaner until it moves freely.

Sent from my XT907 using CrapaTalk

 

[Karbuster]

Middle latch? There's an upper and a lower on the crew door. Or are you talking about the latch in the big door

posted from Nexus 5

 

[PlumCrazy]

The main door latch.

Sent from my XT907 using CrapaTalk

 

[JoshT]

There's an upper and a lower on the crew door.

Wouldn't hurt to clean and lube those while you are at it, due to less frequent use they like to get gummed up too.

 

[Karbuster]

Update, cleaning and lubing seems to be a success after a couple weeks of regular use

posted using smoke signals

 

[Karbuster]

After a month, it seems I need to do it again correction two months

posted using smoke signals