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

[mark v]

First of all don't use WD-40 because it is the worst to use because Oil attracts dirt, WD-40 is Oil and that equals even dirtier door contacts. Any Oil is bad to use on electrical contacts that are exposed to the elements.

There is a small electrical switch on every door latch that CAN BE CLEANED, no need to replace the latch on older Windstars.

Remove the door panel, remove the entire latch mechanism, the door switch usually can be removed, clean switch, use only Silicone Spray Lubricant to lubricate switch, reassemble the door.

Some switches may be beyond repair and can easily be found at a dealer or salvage yard.

Side sliding door contacts can be cleaned with an Eraser or some steel wool or very light sandpaper. After cleaning and contacts are shiny, coat them with a small amount of dielectric grease or just leave uncoated.

I do regular maintenance on my sliding door switches cause the door is used so much and if I don't coat it with dielectric grease it fails fast and when I use the dielectric grease it last longer but also gets dusty. I usually clean this contact once a year. These contacts only need a light coating, no need to use a lot. I only use a small amount as big as a Pencil Eraser head and that will coat all 8 contacts, 4 on door and 4 on the door jamb.

Why do I recommend Silicone Spray Lubricant? I tried everything to clean these switches and make them work, everything I tried failed especially WD-40 was the worst. Silicone Spray Lubricant goes on wet then dries out and leaves a film that does not attract dust like other lubricants. I am going about 2 years or more since I cleaned my faulty switches and used Silicone Spray Lubricant, other Oil's/Lubricants lasted a few months or more, nothing lasted or worked in the Winter or Summer like Silicone Spray Lubricant.

You can also use Silicone Spray Lubricant on all your door Weather Stripping so your doors don't freeze up in the Winter. Apply on a rag and rub on Weather Strip till shiny once a year.

Silicone Spray Lubricant also works on door locks if your Key is sticky. Spray in Key hole and turn the Key back and forth. Graphite Lubricant is the best for the Key hole but is very runny.

Graphite Lubricant can also be used for the door switches too.

[vindctar]

Wonderful...thanks for the tips.

[ford510]

You can also use Silicon Spray if your power window is not sliding smoothly...

Nice post, Mike V!

[GraybeardAv]

I isolated the problem to one door by listening for the chime when a door is opened, probably with key in ignition. The faulty switch is in the door that doesn't key the chime.

GB

[BroncoJoe19]

it is my understanding that there is a "Generic Electronic Module" that has wires going to each of the door components. In particular the blk/yel goes to the LEFT door/ajar switch, the blk/pnk the RIGHT, blk/wht sliding, and blk//LT Blu TAILGATE.
It seems to me that if one were to ground out each of the wires, and if the interior lights went out, or the chiming stopped, that would point to which door switch is malfunctioning.

Where is the "Generic Electronic Module" located?

[mark v]

I think in the back of the Van.

[bshaardt]

I have had an intermittent problem with my 95 Windstar's interior lights staying on and having to unplug the battery, then the problem would go away for awhile and the lights would turn off normally. The problem is back and only the driver's door sets off the chime. However all the other doors trigger the "door ajar" light and it goes off when they are closed, but the interior lights stay on. Doesn't this sound like the problem is not in the sensors (we have had some of them changed and the problem still came back) but what else could it be? Also the AC blows hot air and the driver window doesn't work. Could all these electrical problems be related?

[mark v]

A/C needs freon that is why it blows hot air.

Window is not related.

Sounds like your GEM module may be bad if the door ajar light goes off but the interior lights stay on.

Did a Ford Dealer replace the sensors or did Joe's Do It All Garage fix it?

[BroncoJoe19]

Source: Haynes Repair Manuals they have a forum

The Generic Electronic Module is located behind the instrument panel, to the left of the steering column. It's a fairly small unit. Looks to be maybe about the size of a wallet or so, perhaps a bit narrower.

[microsfoftxpuser21]

if u get a noise dinging ewhen no key is in iggy lift up the sterring wheel mine does it its annoying and back door light open used to come on clean connectors with brillo pad and spray brake clean does the trick but those vans have alot of issues mine runs good been takin car of it for 2 years with no issues