QuestionHi, Mark - this concerns a 1998 Ford Windstar Van with a 3.8 L V6 engine. It has so many transient electrical gremlins, I could swear the thing is haunted.
But, let's start with a repeatable one: the 'door ajar' light on the dash won't go out 99% of the time. Occasionally, it will work correctly; but those occasions are very rare. I suspect that I have more than one faulty switch.
I can check for codes - I have a scan gauge meter that displays the raw codes - but the 'check engine' light does not illuminate, and there are no codes being reported.
Is there a simple way to check each door switch manually? How do those durned things work, anyway - magnetic reed switch? Would it be simpler to just replace all the switches?
This has got to rate as one of the most common problems on Windstars - that, and changing the firewall side spark plugs (but we won't even TALK about that little issue).
I guess I'm looking for some simple way to check switch functionality, or some common fixes for this problem. What do the master techs do to solve this one?
Thanks for any help you can provide - Charlie
Answerthe most common thing is one of the door latch switches-get some wd40 or pb blaster and spray in each door latch liberally and open and shut door several times-the switch is connected to the latch assembly and gets gummed up over time-sometimes you will have to replace switch or latch assembly. sometimes to figure out which one is causing it you can open the doors one at time while watching the door ajar light and see if it changes if you can find the door that doesn't change it that is the one. good luck
