Windstar Door light/Door Ajar/Dome light wont turn off HELP

[mark v]

Yep, right on the latch.

[Athlon64M]

BroncoJoe19, The photos you posted are for 1998 and earlier models, which doesn't help my 2001 model. In my Windstar's GEM, there are four connectors, and they are slightly different.

And the Haynes Repair Manual Does Not have a wiring diagram for anything past a 1998 Model. Does Haynes answer their emails? research-at-haynes.com?

The GEM is labeled as "Front Electronic Module", and the 11 pin connector is still on the right.

[mark v]

That is why I prefer Chilton Manuals.

[Athlon64M]

Originally Posted by mark v

That is why I prefer Chilton Manuals.

Actually, it is a Chilton Manual, supposed to good till 2003 Models...

[herb-tech]

Yes, I'm new here and like to say HELLO to everyone. As a former automobile engineer (now retired), I'm still very much interested in the topic of car problems. However, when I was actively working, there were no electronics in most cars (except perhaps radios) and, there were much less troubles. Whatever breakdowns there were, they could usually easily be diagnosed and fixed.
I recently purchased a '02 Windstar SE. It's basically a nice vehicle, but it didn't take long to become very disgusted and annoyed with all that crummy electronic garbage they put into these cars. To have an extra coded KEY programmed for the vehicle costs around $ 100.00 and is only available from Ford dealers, I find this ridiculous. This, as well as all the the other "theft alarm" related devices should only be made available as EXTRAS and should not be pushed on to consumers, that do not need or want them.
The most annoying problems I have with this car are the DOOR ADJAR light, the constantly flashing THEFT light, and the INTERIOR LIGHTS, that never turn OFF. Also, the insane noise from chirping horns (false alarms), bells and chimes dinging , can drive people crazy. Not to mention, running down the battery.
I already spent countless hours to check out and to attempt repairs for these problems. Reading many other Windstar owner's comments with similar problems on the internet, and studying diagrams and repair instructions in owner's manuals and and even Ford shop manuals, I still have not been able to eliminate most of those troubles.
Following the advice from some people in different forums, I simply disassembled all the doors (my van has 5, - 2 front, and 2 sliding doors plus tailgate.) I tried to clean those little switches, spray them with carb.cleaner and silicone. Despite that, nothing worked. I then cut the wires from all the door switches, except for the sliding doors, where people had suggested to cut and connect the upper and lower wires together. The 'door adjar' light is still coming on and the interior lights won't turn off.
In order to avoid discharging the battery over night, I even installed a simple ON-OFF switch, connected to the fuse panel (#1). Now, at least, it's easy to turn the int.lights off (or on) without pulling the fuse. This, b.t.w. does NOT cut off the power to the door locks.
Apparently, it is not possible for the owner of those cars to turn off or eliminate that "SecuriLock Passive Anti-Theft System". I'm not sure, if or how that blinking "THEFT" light can be turned off, but I feel it is also draining the battery by about 5-10 volts in 24 hrs.
There are a few more unpleasant designs and devices integrated into the construction of this vehicle, which is clearly reflected in those numerous complaints from consumers.
Now, if anyone out there has any other good ideas, that could help me with the major problems mentioned above, I sure would like to hear them. Please keep in mind, that not all Windstars are the same. There are definite changes between production years, even the colors in the wiring diagrams can change several times, even within the same production year.
Greetings and Thanks to all of you.

[mark v]

Hold on there, you need to start a new topic for all of these questions.

P.S. the theft system will not drain your battery 5-10 volts in 24 hrs, your battery would be completely dead if this happened.

Please start a new topic addressing all of your questions and complaints. This topic was started for the switch help only.

Originally Posted by herb-tech

Yes, I'm new here and like to say HELLO to everyone. As a former automobile engineer (now retired), I'm still very much interested in the topic of car problems. However, when I was actively working, there were no electronics in most cars (except perhaps radios) and, there were much less troubles. Whatever breakdowns there were, they could usually easily be diagnosed and fixed.
I recently purchased a '02 Windstar SE. It's basically a nice vehicle, but it didn't take long to become very disgusted and annoyed with all that crummy electronic garbage they put into these cars. To have an extra coded KEY programmed for the vehicle costs around $ 100.00 and is only available from Ford dealers, I find this ridiculous. This, as well as all the the other "theft alarm" related devices should only be made available as EXTRAS and should not be pushed on to consumers, that do not need or want them.
The most annoying problems I have with this car are the DOOR ADJAR light, the constantly flashing THEFT light, and the INTERIOR LIGHTS, that never turn OFF. Also, the insane noise from chirping horns (false alarms), bells and chimes dinging , can drive people crazy. Not to mention, running down the battery.
I already spent countless hours to check out and to attempt repairs for these problems. Reading many other Windstar owner's comments with similar problems on the internet, and studying diagrams and repair instructions in owner's manuals and and even Ford shop manuals, I still have not been able to eliminate most of those troubles.
Following the advice from some people in different forums, I simply disassembled all the doors (my van has 5, - 2 front, and 2 sliding doors plus tailgate.) I tried to clean those little switches, spray them with carb.cleaner and silicone. Despite that, nothing worked. I then cut the wires from all the door switches, except for the sliding doors, where people had suggested to cut and connect the upper and lower wires together. The 'door adjar' light is still coming on and the interior lights won't turn off.
In order to avoid discharging the battery over night, I even installed a simple ON-OFF switch, connected to the fuse panel (#1). Now, at least, it's easy to turn the int.lights off (or on) without pulling the fuse. This, b.t.w. does NOT cut off the power to the door locks.
Apparently, it is not possible for the owner of those cars to turn off or eliminate that "SecuriLock Passive Anti-Theft System". I'm not sure, if or how that blinking "THEFT" light can be turned off, but I feel it is also draining the battery by about 5-10 volts in 24 hrs.
There are a few more unpleasant designs and devices integrated into the construction of this vehicle, which is clearly reflected in those numerous complaints from consumers.
Now, if anyone out there has any other good ideas, that could help me with the major problems mentioned above, I sure would like to hear them. Please keep in mind, that not all Windstars are the same. There are definite changes between production years, even the colors in the wiring diagrams can change several times, even within the same production year.
Greetings and Thanks to all of you.

[wirebender]

I have a problem with 1998 ford windstar 3.8 I have replaced spark plugs & wires, but at times ( not all the time) it will cut out and die, It does it whin stoped a intersection Its seems to stop cutting out if I shut it off and restart the motor. also brake light is staying on and I just replaced brakes all around front and back

[mark v]

So what does this have to do with dome lights? This thread is about dome lights.

Please start your own thread on your subject.

Originally Posted by wirebender

I have a problem with 1998 ford windstar 3.8 I have replaced spark plugs & wires, but at times ( not all the time) it will cut out and die, It does it whin stoped a intersection Its seems to stop cutting out if I shut it off and restart the motor. also brake light is staying on and I just replaced brakes all around front and back

[BroncoJoe19]

Athlon64M,
I looked through my win 2000 documentaion, and it seems that only the driver's door ajar switch goes through the FEM.

2000FEMpinOut.JPG

[sirbama]

I have The Same Problem With The Door Ajar light.I have tryed the wd-40 thing and the cleaning the round thing (sensors) on the sliding door.nothing will work i have not tryed takeing the doors apart thought .can any one give me a more deiteld info on how to do this?Also how do i get the panels off of the back lift gate and the sliding door on the inside?




1995 Ford Windstar LX