98 windstar door ajar alarm and light

[mbazid]

I have a 98 windstar and I the door ajar alarm and the dome light wont turn off. This happens even when I cut the engin and Im forced to disconnect the battery so it wont drain. I have pinpointed the problrm to the drivers side door and some times when I gently shake the door up and down it stops. This is making me crazzzzzy. Is there an easy fix for this that wont take all of my life savings?
Thanks

[toddler62]

My windstar always had problems with the speakers shorting out at the doors, I would take a pencil eraser and clean the 4 contacts on the door and door pillars. you might try cleaning these contacts they might work the lights also. just a stab in the dark but it wont cost anthing to try

[lapin_windstar]

Good news! This is a relatively common problem and usually easy to fix, either by replacing the catch, disconnecting the wires or (hopefully) just spraying the catch with WD40 (or similar) - check out this thread: http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=383261

[boilerman]

I pulled the door latch on our 2003 windstar to deal with a door ajar alarm onthe driver door.

It has two plugs into it but the plastic unit is sealed onthe door latch (pulled off via three bolts).

I sprayed a bunch of contact cleaner and then hit the latch with silicone spray - electrical not WD40

I put the latch back in and reconnected the battery.

The door jar alarm still comes on!!!!

I tried disconnecting the two plugs and nothing- still on.
One of the plugs is for the remote lock so I at least know what one is for. There is also a plug that goes tothe door a a handle. So three plugs and all were disconnected and door alarm still goes on.

Is there a way to bypass the sensor by disconnecting a plug? Which plug?

Am I now forced to buy a while new latch assembly($$$$) or can I just buy the electrical unit?

I have assumed folks are tlaking about the black plastic unit off of the door latch as the door ajar alarm sensor.

Help!!

[northern piper]

this use to happen to our 2000 as well. Don't quote me but isn't the door switch on the jamb? (vs the door). I know that when it happened to me it was the driver's side slider door that was causing the problem. The switch was somewhat sticky. I removed it, lubed it, and the problem has never reoccurred. This was about 2 years ago.

Piper