Ok, Reader's Digest version is that I have a 97 4.6L F-150. I have been having issues with the driver's side door. When I shut the door the light in the cab stays on and I'm getting the "door ajar" icon on the dash. The issue at first was not constant (5-6 months between), but now it's getting to the point that the lights stay on constantly and no matter how often I try to reshut the door the lights stay on and the "door ajar" icon is lit on dash. I have spoken to a mechanic and he mentioned a "switch" going bad in door but he said he wouldn't know until he took door panel off and looked.

I was just curious if anyone had any thoughts as to what this could be and price range of something like this.

THanks

 

Switch is part of the door latch....I think.

Not the handle but the latch.

Id look at auto recyclers/junk yards

 

switches are like $5-10.
I haven't done it but I've read you need to remove the inner door panel to swap it out.

 

I just took apart all the doors on two trucks. Swapped doors, in other words. There are 2 connectors on the door latch. I'm assuming one is for the power door locks, the other must be the sensor for the "door ajar" readout. These connectors are just about impossible to get at without removing the door handle and the three wire connections with them. If you do it yourself, I hope you have small digits to get in there!

 

Or do it th easy way and just pull the latch assembly. THe 3 wire connector is for the door lock acuator. The door switch is 2 wire.

 

Correct..trimming as to be removed...im not sure if theres a disconnect.

When I changed my door post accident I spliced the new door latch in my harness after cutting the wires from the old door.

 

I would have never cut the wires. I would have just swapped the harness.

 

Not if you splice them properly..the harness is tons of work to swap..its embedded all over in the truck...why go through all that trouble when you can splice..properly 2 simple wires.

Im an AVS tech on military helos and we splice...properly..wires all the time as long as the splice is staggered and at least 12" away from any connector or termination.

So therefore there is nothing unsafe or considered shaddy work if you splice wires...again...properly.

Cheers!

 

OK.. There are three wire connections to the latch assembly, and the three torx bolts that hold it to the door. I was able to "unsnap" those yellow connectors holding the wires to the inside door lock and the outside handle with a screwdriver. I wasn't sure they would come apart, but I used force and they did. If I broke it, it didn't matter because I was junking this door. The manual door lock on the other hand, seemed to only be disconnected by removing the door handle. I did this, and it still was rather hard to disconnect the wiring harnesses. Now, if you've done this many times, it might be easy. If you haven't, good luck.

Did I miss something? Just pull the latch assembly sounds easy.. but that is not how my doors worked.