1996 Ford Windstar GL

[beegjoe]

The interior lights in the windstar remain on when you
shut all the doors. Brightness/on-off knob doesn't shut them off or on.

There must be a door switch stuck somewhere. The vehicle has 1 sliding
door on the passenger side.

I have to undo battery cable or the battery will run down.

Please advise,

Joe B
Colorado

[12Ounce]

I have a '99. It took me a while to realize that the door ajar switch for the sliding doors is mounted at the REAR of the door opening. Don't let this fool you if yours is the same.

[beegjoe]

Thanks for your reply.

I could not see any door ajar switch on the rear of the sliding
door. However, there are 4 spring loaded contacts on the front of the door, but I have lubed them, messed with them ,etc, but it did not make
a difference.

Joe B

[12Ounce]

Not the door, the door opening....or the "door jamb". You may find a hole with the switch fallen inside.

On my model, those contact switches have to do with the door power latches and the rear radio speakers (very poor!).

[beegjoe]

Thanks,

I looked and looked and did not find anything.
I can't find door ajar switch on any of the doors!

[12Ounce]

I think you are right. There may be no separate door-ajar switches on your model. I looked at a Haynes (not a great source for electrical diagrams) and it indicates that the sliding door ajar switch is included in the set of plunger switches ... and the wire colors are blk/wht or blk/org and, of course blk on the other side of the switch. The front doors seem to have the ajar function included in the latch itself ... the latch, inside the door panel, that actually holds the door shut. You may want to find a copy of the Haynes, or buy a diagram for your model ... they seem to be avail on-line for less than $50.

BTW, there also seems to be an "interior light relay" on your model. ?? It might be pulled to see what happens. There is also a fuse that can be pulled ... but that might disconnect too much stuff.

[beegjoe]

The door ajar switches are located in the door latches. You cannot see
any of them. One latch in each passenger door, two in the slider, two
in the rear hatch. I vigorously sprayed lubricant in all latches. They
must get sticky, as finally, the lights went off, and stayed off! I think
the sticky switch was in the rear slider latch. Thanks for your help!!

[wiswind]

Sliding door open/closed contacts are in the row of spring contacts on the door that contact the pillar contacts.
The front driver/passenger doors are a bit more difficult.......here are links to 2 pictures from inside the door on my '96 windstar.

Passenger side with track for window glass out (that's another repair you may have) and window up.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/415748...7632198092975/

Driver side with window glass track in place.....
https://www.flickr.com/photos/415748...7632198092975/

Interior trim panel removed in both pictures.