I own a '96 ford taurus. I have a problem with the door ajar light. It not only stays on while the car is running it also makes the door lights stay on while the car is in operation. It also will not turn off the door lights after the car is parked and no longer running. Therefore the lights run the battery down after a few hours. I suspect the problem is in a sensor switch in one of the doors that is malfunctioning.
My question is this: Where is the damn thing? Most cars have a switch on the door jamb that turns off the door lights. This one does not.
Is it possible that this might be a simple fix like a sensor switch or my main fear, a computer problem?
Please ease my mind?
Most likely it’s a switch. I’m pretty sure the switch is operated by the latching mechanism in the door itself. Whether the switch is available separately from the latch I don’t know.
There is a switch in each door. While the driver’s door is the most likely culprit, testing is needed to know with certainty where the fault lies.
It apparently is located on the door latch on the B-pillar, as shown here: http://autorepair.about.com/library/a/1g/bl996g.htm
If you’re not too mechanical I’d suggest the same thing as that web site; take it to a body shop rather than a dealer. Probably cheaper and faster.
Thanks guys Sounds like it might be a fairly simple and hopefully cheap fix.
Off to the body shop we go.