Hey guys,

There's something not right with the wiring in my 2WD truck. The problem first started about 2 weeks ago when my door ajar light wouldn't go off and my dome lights, cargo lights and map light stayed on.
I'm pretty clueless when it comes to wiring, so I thought I was gonna have to take it to a shop and get it fixed right away but I just decided to unhook the battery and hook it back up. That took care of the problem up until today.

I tried doing the same thing with the battery today and unforunately that didn't fix it this time.
The most frusrating thing is that this is a intermittent problem. This isn't caused by the back two doors not being latched all the way. I can't leave the battery connected very long because there's actually five lights on when the battery is hooked up and it runs the battery down real fast.
It's very frustrating to carry a 8 mm wrench around with me and disconnect the battery everytime I go somewhere.
Has anyone else had this problem happen before? and if so what caused it?

Thanks,

Brian

 

May seem too simple but try spraying some WD-40 into the door latch. Driver door probably, maybe both. Give it a go :)

 

My 01 did this and my dads 99 f250 did this. Both were fixed by hitting all the hinges and latch's with WD40 or JB80 whatever you have on hand. One warning I used JB80 on my hinges and damn near ripped my door off the first time I opened it. That stuff works crazy good.

 

agreed with above, spray some lube on latch

 

Thanks guys ... I'll spray the heck out of the latches with some PB Blaster and then put some grease on them. If that don't work, I guess I'll break out the ole wiring diagram manual.

 

I'd avoid the grease, thats part of the problem, the latches get gummed up and keep the lights stuck on.

The point of the WD-40 is not only does it lubricate but it cleans by degreasing.

 

I'm new to the formum and my first attempt to post a reply says I'm not authorized. Second attempt follows:
All of the above are correct. The problem is caused by a switch that mounts to the door handle. When you lift the handle, the light comes on. Over a period of time, the switch gets sticky. The switch can be replaced but I've been able to extend the life several years with WD40. Use nothing that will attract dirt. I still have the original switches in my 97 Ranger. I had to replace one in my 97 Lincoln. Probably the same part but I'm not sure.

 

Thanks for the info Criggs ... and welcome to R-F
I think I got the problem solved I took the door panel and looked down in the door and seen where wvcat half-*** wired the thing up and I wired it up the way it should have been done in the first place and it's working fine now.

 

Mine was doing the same thing so I done the wd 40 trick worked a day or so started again so I bought a switch from ford. A 20.00 part.

 

my fathers 96 f150 had the same problem he had to replace the switches

 

My 01 ranger is doing the same thing, tried the WD40 didn't work I think the door latch on the drivers side bottom doesnt seem to be working. How do you pull the door panel, to replace the latch? I'm from the old school when there were screws holding the panels on.

 

WD-40 dries out to quickly, and can actually make things worse when it comes to electrical switches. You need a high quality penetrating lubricant such as Liquid Wrench or Marvel Mystery Oil. Give the latch a good soaking down, wait half an hour for it to cut through and break down the old grease and grime that has built up, then give it another good soaking down to rinse it away. Then all you need is a quick shot every other months and you'll be fine.

 

wd40 worked from the day i sprayed it til 2 years later when i totaled it. I'll stick to wd40 on the next truck if this happens to it because it worked.