door open alarm

The door ajar alarm keeps going off on my 98 windsstar van. It's driving me nuts. Where is it and how do I unstick it or disable it. The door is shut. The dome light comes on for a minute too and you can't lock the doors. Keep popping open if you hit the lock button. Helllppp!:help:

This is a common Windstar problem ... I had it with my '96. Typically you need to clean the electrical contacts on the rear and side doors .. they look like little chrome dots. I'd try some rubbing alcohol first and if that doesn't work then try some very mild abrasive, such as T-Cut or one of the other paint tarnish removal products. As far as I can remember the main front doors are not the issue, but it wouldn't do any harm to clean their contact as well. Good luck!

PJ

I have a 97' Windstar with the same problem and I tried cleaning the contacts but I couldn't really find where they were for the trunk?

In my 1999, it is the driver door. You can figure out which door it is by sitting in the van with engine on, all doors closed (door open light lit, of course). Open each door one at a time and listen for the ding. For the doors the van knows are closed, you'll hear a ding. Close each door after opening and listening for the ding.

If it is one of the side doors, then you can clean it as described above. If it is one of the front doors, you are in my boat. Ford engineers got fance with this van and put the door status switch inside the door where it monitors the door latch to determine door open/closed. This was a terribe idea. My understanding is the door switch gets dirty and doesn't pop out when the door opens, so the van always thinks your door is open, even though it isn't.

You can clean the switch, but I have more things to do than take my door apart, I put tape over the light, problem solved.

bN

Bugger of a problem with Taurus and Windstar

Only remedy for my '96 Windstar (alarm would sound until 15mph!)
was to have both front door switches replaced at dealer - to the tune of $90 each!

Bugger of a problem with Taurus and Windstar

Only remedy for my '96 Windstar (alarm would sound until 15mph!)
was to have both front door switches replaced at dealer - to the tune of $90 each!

CHECH THE 2 LATCH ADJUSTMENTS ON REAR GATE.EXCELLENT CHANCE THAT ONE IS NOT IN CORRECT.PANEL SHOULD BE FLUSH WITH BODY.0 TOLERANCE ON THOSE LATCHES.SAME WITH DRIVERS AND PASSS DOOR.WIPE THE 4 CONTACTS ON SLIDING DOOR.
HAD SAME PROBLEM,ONLY WITH 2 DOORS AT THE SAME TIME.HOPE THIS HELPS

I have the same problem with my 96. I suspect it to be the liftgate sensors but there are no exposed contacts. Does anyone know how to take the panel off the inside of the liftgate? Please let me know if you can help.

After reading some advice on this site, it was easy to determine which door was the problem, (turn motor ON and open one door at a time, the van will sound a DING if it senses a dort opening, therefore if you open a door and there is NO DING, you found your problem door).

In my case it was the rear door, as suggested I sprayed both door latches with ample amounts of WD40, it solved the problem immediately,

Thanks.

is there any way that we can post a picture of what we are talking about? I have found some sensors but not sure what to clean. Whether the connection or the metal part that stikes the latch the is hidden in the door?

bri

I had a problem with the driver door and just unplugged it. I couldn't figure out how to fix the sensor but at least I don't have to hear the chimes anymore.

As mebtioned above get some WD-40 into all the door locks, you'll be amazed!

I have found that my sliding door has the faulty sensor. Does anyone know how to get into the door, and direct me on where I should be looking at for the sensor?

The sensor that's defective is in the drivers door side. I have cleaned all the other contacts, but apparently the drivers side contact is INSIDE the door!!! How can I either disable it, or cover it (as described in previous posts). The dealer wants $250.00 to take a look at it!! Help!

I have removed my door panel and inspected the sensopr. It seems like there was some gunk inside the sensor it was a tannish color. I unplugged the wire to the sensor and I used some Q-tips to clean the inside metal contacts. The is a post on here about a website to remove the ford driver doors. The sensors are really close to where the door slams and dirt can build up inside the mechanical part. As stated before WD-40 does wonders or any other automotive lubricant in this area. I noticed that some doors have a ding and the only one that does'nt is the sliding door. My driver door just chimes annoyingly when it's open. so i guess that is a ding i am looking for, but the sliding doesn't ding and that stupid door ajar light is still on. No way am I going to a dealrship for this!

hey i have found that a little lubricant on all the door latches help get rid of the annoying light on your dash. Do not forget the sliding door latches it has two. just spray the lubricant in there and after times it will loosen up and perform its function. Hope this helps.

WD40 does it... Look for switches inside the latches, two on rear door.. Flood them with WD or something like it and you have it fixed... do it all the time...Frank

Recently purchased '96 Windstar and had same problem but I think I've got mine fixed. I've seen other postings that suggested start engine and then open/close one door at a time. I aslo sprayed WD-40 on all doors.

It appears that the driver's door was the one that was the problem.

Well, my 98 windstar had the same problem. After reading posts here, I sprayed WD-40 and the problem disappeared. Thanks to all the guys.

Ford should issue a TSB for this. Imagine how many guys being ripped off by the dealers for this simple fix.

What made ford to try to re-invent the wheel. I have seen many very old cars and the door switch was never such a big mess.

For sure, dealers will love it.

wd 40 did the trick for my 98 thanks alot
:evillol: