Dome light stays on

I have a 97 windstar and I am often surprised when I try to start it in the morning and the battery is dead. I know I have a bad door sensor because this has happened to me before. The computer thinks that the door is open and the dome light stays on. When I had the last one replaced, they told me that it was an easy job and required a $10 part. What they didn't tell me is that there was $80 in labor! I was wondering if there is a way that I can identify which one is bad and replace it myself? I'll let you know that I just have a garage with basic tools. Nothing that I can hook up to the van's computer and diagnose a problem. Thanks

Never mind. I found a thread that describes my problem!

Never mind. I found a thread that describes my problem!


Can you point me to the the thread that describes the prob? Thanks

I experienced this problem before on my 98 Windstar. It turned out to be the door closing "JAWS" (lack of a better word) on the tailgate. I squirted oil on the jaws and open and closed them about 25 times occasionally putting more oil on them. It eventually made the sensor stop sticking and the problem went a way.

This procedure can be done on all the doors but the tailgate one has done this 3 times since I bought the van in 97.

Hope this helps.

Can you point me to the the thread that describes the prob? Thanks

It's a thread called "Ford Windstar is Killing Me", on page 2.