2002 Taurus interior electrical problem

[gspencer]

Hi! I need some help. a few month ago I noticed one of the bulbs out on my dash buy the odometer. Can you help?

Also more concern to me than the bulb is a electrical problem with the dome light and door locks. The 4 door locks are supposed to lock when I put the car in gear. they won't and I can't lock them when I am driving. they just re-unlock when I try. Also the dome light seems to be tied to this problem and turns on for a short while every time I start the car and put in drive. About 1 min. Also when I try to lock remote it locks the car but beeps not once, but twice as if a door is open. Nothing is open.

Can someone help? Thanks

[shorod]

Welcome to the forum!

What help do you need with the odometer bulb? Directions on removing the instrument cluster, the type of bulb needed, etc?

As for the door lock and interior light problem, it sounds like you are experiencing the all-too-common dirty door switch. There are numerous threads regarding this subject, and a quick search of the Taurus forum will yield more details than you probably care to know, so I'll just keep it short and you can do a search if you need more info.

The door switch is located inside the door latch. You will want to try using some electrical contact cleaner (I DO NOT recommend using WD-40, which is not an electrical cleaner and can actually damage the contacts) and spray it inside the door latch. Work the switch a few times by closing and opening the door. Repeat for all doors. Then, for maximum longevity of the repair, apply an electrical oxidiation inhibitor and lubricant using the same method.

The cleaner and preservitive I've had very good results with is Caig brand De-Oxit and PreservIt. Caig products can be found at good electronics stores (not Radio Shack). It's a bit pricey, but a little goes a long way and the stuff works great!

And, no, I have no affiliation with Caig, I'm just a very satisfied consumer. Another of my hobbies is consumer electronics repair. I've salvaged numerous CD players using Caig products in the spindle motors, cleaned volume controls and other potentiometers, etc. The stuff has never let me down.

-Rod

[gspencer]

Thanks, I'll try that. I sure don't waqnt to pay $70hr labor. I'll look at the instrument panel and let you know if I need help w/the bulb. I'll try that spray. Would Pep boys have it?

Gary

[shorod]

Pep Boys will probably have an electrical parts cleaner which will probably work fine for quite a while.

The Caig products are usually only found and electronic supply stores, or online. MCM Electronics has it, http://www.mcminone.com/product.asp?...5Fid=200%2D040

I do quite a bit of business with MCM so their "minimum order" is not an issue for me usually. You may want to go with the contact cleaner from Pep Boys or similar. I would just suggest staying away from the WD-40. Many others have used WD-40 with good results, but the electrical engineer in me cannot suggest that route.

-Rod