98 sable door ajar malfunction

Hi --

I have an intermittent problem in my '98 Sable. Sometimes the door ajar light comes on in the dash and the map and dome lights come on, and stay on even when DRIVE is engaged. The only way I have found to workaround this is to remove the interior light relay from the fuse panel (there does not seem to be a separate fuse for the interior lights, at least as far as I can find).

I am assuming one (or more) of the door sensor switches is broken, but cannot find them. Any suggestions?

Thanks

I copied the following remedy that I came across this morning in another forum - I'm having the same problem intermittently. Haven't tried it yet.


"This procedure is a solution to the dome lights not shutting off when the car’s doors are closed. I know for sure that this works on Gen III’s, and will work on any vehicle that has the dome light switch as an integral part of the door latch.



If your dome light does not shut off when you close the door, simply use a can of WD40, with the thin nozzle attached. Insert the thin nozzle into the lock cylinder and spray generously, then insert the nozzle into the latch mechanism and spray.

Our Taurus, a 1997 GL, has had this problem since we bought it in 1999, and I spray the lock and latch every time I change the oil, as a preventative measure. It works great, as the only permanent solution is to replace the latch mechanism."

Thanks. I saw something similar on the Ranger forum and tried it. Seemed to work at first, then problem resurfaced a couple days later. I didn't spray as thoroughly as the post you provided says to, so I think I will try it again. Nothing to lose!

97' sable here... Does the same damn thing. I had to remove the lightbulb. And my door ajar light doesnt turn off on the dash.. I will try that solution. Seems like every problem I am having with my sable... Everyone else is. It must be a sucky car...

97' here as well. I've had the same problem but only on a few occasions. I have a sunroof too, so when the lights don't turn off, I have to completly unplug the map lights. which is connected to the roof buttons so I lose my power roof. Im really starting to love my new car.

tried this on my 97 sable and it seems to work i really soaked all four doors and the light went out, will post in a few weeks if it doesnt stay off.

I have a 96 sable took the relay out years ago, I'll spray the doors but good luck finding the relay now, maybe if I find an AXOD Trany they could through in the Interior light relay. Might be sucky car but it has done me well 170k miles.

Just wanted to let you know I also have had this problem with my 98 sable since 20k miles. The dealer replaced the switch but 5k miles later I had the problem again. The dealer said it was because of my after market remote starter and refused to deal with the problem. So for 75k miles I have been without a dome light and a stupid door ajar idiot light starring at me (so how do you know when a door is really ajar?).

The wd-40 trick worked. And it worked for my nephew's ford truck and my sister-in-law's ford suv. Even if I have to repeat it periodically, so what? My big question is if so many people have this problem there is obviously something basically wrong with that switch. And I am sure dealer service departments know that but don't mind popping buyers for $125 to replace a bad switch with another bad switch.

tried this on my 97 sable and it seems to work i really soaked all four doors and the light went out, will post in a few weeks if it doesnt stay off.


well its been 2 weeks and no troubles looks like this might have fixed it or at least got rid of it for awhile ( 8 weeks will be enough cause we sell the sable soon for a new accord) it used to happen at lease once a week.

last update 24 march and still no door ajar light looks like a good fix

i have a 98 sable wagon and the door ajar light is a permanent thing. one of my best friends has a 98 taurus with teh same problem.

the dome light bulb is removed. one of the lower floor lights has already burned out

it seemed like it first started happening when it was raining out and around 35-50 degrees.

i will go home and attempt to locate this lock cylinder and latch mechanism.

my guesses are (sorry for the idiot content)

lock cylinder = place where you insert the key to open the door

latch mechanism = thing on the side of the door that connects with the body to tell if the door is open?

I had the same problem with my 1997 Mercury Sable. I read those replies suggesting WD40 sprayed liberally into the door locks and on the latch mechanism. It worked for my car. Thank you.

The relay is in the door latch. You have to remove the door panel and then the switch. At least that's what the local dealers service dept told me and $150 later.

Our problem started 3 weeks after we bought our used 98 sable. It was under warranty so the dealer fixed it but it showed up again. For us it started to show up after a good rain or heavy humidity, like the sensor was wet or something. Did anyone else notice this? Thank you for your suggestions on what to do about it. It is very irritating!! Does anyone know if this is a problem still on newer vehicles? There are similiar post under 98 Ford Taurus, was 98 just a bad year for this?

I never thought of the water as being a problem. I have noticed since it has started warming up that the switch on mine has been taking longer to shutoff. When it turned cooler the last few days it's not been a problem. That tells me there's some sort of heat expansion problem in the switch. I'm going to mention this to my brother he's an engineer and could be familiar with a similar problem in his work.

Same proble. Have lived with no lights for years. will try WD-40 again. The cars do not suck, they are just consistant. Just think if no one else had these problems, who would we ask?

I had a similar problem back in the dead of winter -- closed all the doors and the interior lights stayed on. The WD40-in-the-locks method did the trick. Gave each cylinder a generous spray with that little red pipette that comes with the can. Took a day or so for it to lubricate thoroughly. During this time I removed the fuse that controls the courtesy lights. I suspect it was some grit/salt or even water/ice that wasn't letting something in there close-up shop.
No problems since! *knock on wood*

Below is the answer I got from my brother the engineer.


"The switch is either dirty or improper lubricant is used. Try getting a can of spray graphite and soak the switch and exercise it for several minutes to work the graphite in to the moving parts. As the graphite carrier dries, the graphite remains and doesn't wash out too easily. I had the same problems on the Ranger and it worked for me."

I did as he suggested and it worked immediately.

:2cents:

I have had the same problem with the door ajar light. I do have great news with how I have fixed it. I troubleshot the problem down to the root and have determine the relay controlling the light is the main problem. I have since replace my relay with one from a used auto parts store. It has been 5 months since I replaced the relay and no other problem witht he light has occured.

I have had the same problem with the door ajar light. I do have great news with how I have fixed it. I troubleshot the problem down to the root and have determine the relay controlling the light is the main problem. I have since replace my relay with one from a used auto parts store. It has been 5 months since I replaced the relay and no other problem witht he light has occured.


Where is the relay i might have to look at mine i have been without a dome light for 2 yrs now although i cant really complain i have 192k on it and its a 98sable just redid the heads on it and hoping to get another 100k from it :D


edit: I sprayed all four doors on the latching mechenism and the problem went away
nice fix :D

I just had the exact problem with the dome light staying on. This works!! Spray wd-40 in the latch mechanism on the door, soak it good inside. Do all 4 doors and open and close the door about ten 10 times. I bet it works for you as it did for many others on this forum. Good luck. The Ford dealer advised me to try this first before bringing it in the garage.

I have a 1999 Taurus that has had this problem for 4 years. I never could find a fix. Someone hit the side of my car last fall and they replaced the left front driver door where the problem was occuring. HUURRRAYYY, problem fixed. No more door ajar and dome light problem. Well that didn't last long. Just last week it started again. I have gone round and round with Ford over this. No satisfaction. I am so looking forward to buying a Camry when this thing finally dies.

I have a 1999 Taurus that has had this problem for 4 years. I never could find a fix. Someone hit the side of my car last fall and they replaced the left front driver door where the problem was occuring. HUURRRAYYY, problem fixed. No more door ajar and dome light problem. Well that didn't last long. Just last week it started again. I have gone round and round with Ford over this. No satisfaction. I am so looking forward to buying a Camry when this thing finally dies.
I had the same problem with my 98 Sable. I lived with it for a while and then a local dealer sprayed it with WD 40. I repeat every 10,000 miles or so. No more problems.

97 Sable purchased used with 92k miles. Dealer said the int. lights stayed on, bad swithces and he would fix them. He replaced the driver's side and that fixed the light problem but I also had the alarm go off in the middle of the night quite often. He replaced the pass. side switch too but the alarm would still go off. I finally disconnected the alarm (he paid for that too, would have paid for a new alarm if I wanted it). Too bad all dealers aren't like that.

We just bought this 2000 Sable a week ago, and now the dome lights wont turn off, just like you guys are saying. My dad is getting some WD-40 as we speak, so we will try that. But the only thing that differs in my situation from most of you guys is that my "Door Ajar" light isnt coming on. We think it might have something to do with the keypad on the drivers side door, since it also is turning on. The guy who sold us the car told us that the keypad no longer works, since we had a snowstorm a while back. Another thing, the lights in the lock and window controls on both the drivers and passengers side are also on, and wont go off. So, if the WD-40 doesnt work, does anybody have any other suggestions?

I will post in a few days for an update. Thanks guys!

Kansas:

This may be a water problem too: My boss has a 2001 F150 Lariat and had to have the keypad replaced (under warranty) as they were prone to short-circuiting. His truckbed dome light was staying on even with the truck turned off - similar to your interior light.
SO, check it out with Ford or your dealer - it may be under warranty. And don't be afraid to get the opinion of more than one dealer!

My 98 sable has the red door ajar dash light continually on and the dome light stays on unless you switch it to the off position.

I'm so glad that i'm not the only one having this problem. And after reading all the successful replies from using WD40, i can't wait to get my trigger happy fingers on the spray nossle.

Hopefully i will be able to join the others who have had success with WD40 and the door ajar blues.

-hooD :ylsuper:

well its been 2 weeks and no troubles looks like this might have fixed it or at least got rid of it for awhile ( 8 weeks will be enough cause we sell the sable soon for a new accord) it used to happen at lease once a week.

last update 24 march and still no door ajar light looks like a good fix

Well it worked for over a year and I sold it about 3- months ago!

Below is the answer I got from my brother the engineer.


"The switch is either dirty or improper lubricant is used. Try getting a can of spray graphite and soak the switch and exercise it for several minutes to work the graphite in to the moving parts. As the graphite carrier dries, the graphite remains and doesn't wash out too easily. I had the same problems on the Ranger and it worked for me."

I did as he suggested and it worked immediately.

:2cents:

Over a year later and the above is still working for me. Turns out little brother does know a little something.

Ten minutes after spraying WD-40 into the lock cylinders and into the door latch mechanism as previous posters have instructed, my "Door Ajar" light went out and my dome light turns off when the door is shut.

I sprayed all 4 door latches and both front door lock cylinders. The WD-40 worked 100% !!!! :smokin:

-hooD :ylsuper:

Had this same problem in my 97 Taurus SHO, drove me crazy. Read somewhere about the WD40 solution. I tried it and sprayed it very generously and problem has been gone for 2 years now, problem never returned, and never had to spray it again. My friend's 99 Explorer had the same problem and I sprayed hers too, and problem gone, never returned, never had to spray again, pretty simple fix.

Actually, it's pretty easy. Remove the door panel, and the plastic liner. Find the one wire that goes directly to the latch. That will be the one to connect to the relay..The relay is mounted vertically, from the bottom. Grab it and turn it about a quarter turncounter clockwise. It will feel as if it is going to break, but it will turn. Pull down, remove the wire and replace.

the relay costs 13 dollars at the dealer. It does seem to be a dealer only item.

Had to do it on both front doors on my 97 wagon within a coupe of months, and on my father in laws F 250.

same thing happened to me. hooray for this forum about a year ago, i was about to take it to the dealer, read how a bunch of you sepnt $200 to get it fixed only to have it break again a few months later

awesome

and we already had wd-40 in the house! :)

when it first starts its intermittent.

i don't have a switch for my dome light, so i can't even tell you how many light bulbs i've lost putting them in the center console and how many fingertips i've burned pulling the damn thing out while i'm driving. :)

Same proble. Have lived with no lights for years. will try WD-40 again. The cars do not suck, they are just consistant. Just think if no one else had these problems, who would we ask?


Had same problem with my 98 Sable. Sprayed the WD-40 in the lock cylinders and the latch assemblies and the problem has never come back. Really have to spray allot in it and in all for doors. I think I used about a half a can that day.

Don

We have a 96 Mercury Sable with the same problem. The map lights and dome lights as well as the door locks would not work. A friend told us their mechanic tipped them off about using WD40. We tried it 2 years ago and it has worked fine ever since.

Tried the WD40 on the door locks. Went back 10 minutes later and light was still on. I sprayed all the latches and it worked like a charm, the lights went off. thanks for the suggestion

If need be, might be cheaper to replace the switch yourself. Pick one up from NAPA $15 and also a small tube of dielectric grease. Use the grease on the electrical connections to help prevent corrosion and water infiltration.

Service and Repair

Door Ajar Switch

Removal

1.Position door glass in the up position.
2.Remove the front or rear door panel.
3.Remove the front or rear door latch as described. NOTE: The door ajar switch is retained by a plastic locking tab located in the lower portion of the latch. If the door ajar switch is turned without releasing the locking tab, the housing will break, and the latch will have to be replaced. If the tab is lifted too much, it will break oft and require replacement of the latch.
4.Apply light pressure to the door ajar switch, in a clockwise direction (on RH door latch) or counterclockwise (on LH door latch) while at the same time inserting a flat-blade screwdriver to gently pry apart latch inner casing (at point shown) until the door ajar switch releases. Remove door ajar switch from the door latch.

http://pic17.picturetrail.com/VOL856/1102933/2077148/128181530.jpg

Installation
1.Insert the door ajar switch into the door latch, and rotate counterclockwise (on RH door latch) or clockwise (on LH door latch) until the locking tab snaps into place.
2.Connect electrical connector to door ajar switch.
3.Install front or rear door latch to door as described.
4.Install front or rear door panel.

Just when I thought I was the only one! My '99 Sable (bought used) has the same problem. I used WD40 when it first popped up (during wet weather) and it did the trick. Through the winter, when temps were below freezing, it stayed fixed, but as soon as we thawed out and had some rain it popped up again. This seems to be a 100% fix, so I'm going after a big can of WD40--and maybe some graphite as well. Thanks to all of you.

I have same problem with my 98 Mercury Sable. Am going to try WD-40 here in a minute. However, I have another problem that occurs when the door ajar/dome light/locks glitch happens. The brake lights also work only intermittently as well. Anyone else experience this or do I have 2 frieking problems with this Sable?

Briar_dude-

Start you own thread, it's easier when a thread is about one car, and it is unfair to make everyone read through old stuff that has nothing to do with your car.
Do you have a wiring diagram for your vehicle? Make sure the grounds are clean and secure. Check the connector to the brake light switch for corrosion.

Just wanted to say that thanks to this forum I solved my door ajar problem on my '97 Sable. We just purchased it a couple months ago and today was the first time this every happened. The weather had gotten warm suddenly today (arounc 70 degrees) and suddenly the door ajar light went on.

After about 30 minutes of trial and error I decided to check on the internet. Sure enough, I found this site within seconds my problem was solved in less than 5 minutes.

Thanks everyone for participating in this forum. Without it I'd still be hunting for an answer.

i would also like to thank this thread i had the whole "door ajar" problem and i did the wd-40 trick and it worked nicely i didnt use as much as everyone said but it worked regardless

I'll put my confirmation in here too: WD-40 worked its magic for my '97 Sable as well. About once a year - usually in the winter - I squirt some into the lock cylinders. It displaces any moisture and probably helps flush any grit that gets in there from road salt and winter driving.

I found this answer years ago after a lot of searching. The WD40 WILL WORK if you spray inside the door latch thoroughly. So far I havent had the light come on in the last three years. Silicone spray will also work and the last time I had the problem (2004) I used both. Three years so far and no problems.

Thanks you guys I finally got fed up of this intermittant, sometimes constant problem, with the door ajar light. I did the WD40 fix and it worked like a charm. It was working fine for a long time and then a few days ago I washed the car and then it there the problem was again, the damn light wouldn't go off. Thanks for the fix, much appreciated.

Thanks you guys I finally got fed up of this intermittant, sometimes constant problem, with the door ajar light. I did the WD40 fix and it worked like a charm. It was working fine for a long time and then a few days ago I washed the car and then it there the problem was again, the damn light wouldn't go off. Thanks for the fix, much appreciated.

I'm certain that it will work. Try spraying as far back into the door latch as you can get. And, if it's below freezing where your located, I would also try spraying lock deicer as well (water from the washing may be holding the switch.)

All,
I have read and tried various ways to fixed this door ajar light problem. All have failed except one.. I went to a junk yard and got a replacement light relay switch. This is what turns on the light when you open the door.. Its located under the steering console.. good luck.. Its been working for about 2 years now.

I had the same problem on my 98 Sable. The weather would get hot and the dome light would stay on. Eventually I paid to have the sensor fixed :banghead:

But before then I removed the dome light relay. That seemed like a good idea right up to when I noticed the brakes didn't work quite right:eek7:

I noticed it when I was slowing down for a deer in the road. I did miss the deer. Later I did some experiments and found that my stoping distance increased significantly without the dome light relay installed. The early ABS systems were not just a little goofy.

MOOSE

On my 98 sable wagon, the door ajar light was always coming on which I always assumed was keeping my dome light on. I did the WD-40 trick, worked great, door ajar light went off and I was so happy to put my dome light bulb back in only to realize the light still wont turn off even as the car recognizes all the doors are closed. (I waited in the car to see if there was a time delay for the light, but it never turns off. It has been so long I don’t remember if the car has a lamp delay or not) I checked the relay and switched it with one of the equivalent relays in the fuse box. Light is STILL ON. Does anybody have any ideas? I'm so jealous to find that all of you have had success except me.

-islescar

wow!!!!! worked like a charm!!!!

My 2003 Sable has had the intermittent door ajar problem for a few years. Mostly it was just irritating. Tonight the light wouldn't go off, even when locked with the remote. I disconnected the battery, grumbled a bit, looked on this site and found this thread. The WD-40 trick was an instant fix. Thank you, thank you, thank you. For what it's worth, the humidity is high tonight.

People, many thanks! I had the “door ajar” light and dome light on issue on my 99 Sable GS. Applied WD-40 as directed and issue resolved. As an added bonus, it also resolved a sticking locks issue! Now if only it resolved the “windshield wipers have a mind of their own” problem ...

Hi, I'm new here and my 2003 Mercury Sable LS which has been absolutely perfectly dependable since September 2005 has recently begun having the door ajar idiot light go on and off - now it seems on and because I am by myself and disabled I need to clarify what the door latch you all are talking about is and where should I spray the WD-40 that I bought today.

Right now when the car is not used I disconnect the negative cable from the battery and while this is a real PITA, at least I don't think I'm draining the battery. Can anyone give me the locations of where to spray because I did get the large can so I have plenty, lol. I just need the vehicle to work well again for me and this might give me time to save for the alternator that the local dealer told me will be needed.

All help will be seriously appreciated and if you live near Mays Landing, NJ and can stop by to show me....wow that would be great! Thanks everyone and have a great weekend. :smile: