Door sensor problem

[frostie]

I have the opposite problem to what most people have--the driver side sliding door does not show as being open ever! With kids in the back, this is a safety thing. All the other doors work okay. It is a 99 Windstar. Does anyone know what is wrong or where the door sensor is for this door? Thanks.

[12Ounce]

There is a plastic button shaped switch at the rear of the door opening. Must be stuck.

[frostie]

Originally Posted by 12Ounce

There is a plastic button shaped switch at the rear of the door opening. Must be stuck.

I can find a plunger on the passenger side, but not on the driver side. I have also checked some at the dealer, and they don't have on one the driver side either. Do you think it is in the door latch itself, communicating by the 4 pins, or is it linked to the gas filler cap interlock. This one is very strange!

[12Ounce]

On my '99, it's located, not exactly, but similarly to the RH side ... of course the door openings are slightly different (left -right) because of the rear ac unit and the gas door opening.

I doubt if they changed the switch for the '00, but I'm not betting against it.

[catvents]

My 2001 is exactly like your 1999, 2000 should be the same

[frostie]

Turns out you were right. I compared to a 2000 and found a plunger. On mine, there is just a hole in the door jamb where the plunger should be. Previous owner must have removed it.

This forum is great! Thanks.

[green_van]

Hi,

Mine is stuck - am I supposed to be trying to get at this where it is behind the door or am I supposed to get at it from inside the van?

[green_van]

Answering my own question here.

You get at the back switch on the sliding door via the inside of the truck. Mine (on the right side) was accessible by peeling back the plastic side panel starting at the sliding door end. Also had to unbolt the middle seat belt and pull the post trim.

The switch is a one-time deal - you have to break the little plastic catches off to get the switch out. New one was a XF2Z-140180-AB, $35. They are also "self aligning", so the new one will stick out farther than the old one, and get pushed to the right place the first time you slam the door.

When you do slam the door the first time, its possible to knock the connector off the back meaning you might have to peel the trim back again.

BTW, the switch is a normally open, so if the connector falls off you get no lights. The connector on mine needed tape to help it out the second time around to get it to stay on.