9 replies to this topic

[bazzwell]

'90 Lebaron........the "door ajar" warning bell has developed a mental issue. Light on dash comes on and off, bell sounds, door locks open and close rapidly. Doors are closed of course, no buttons stuck, normally drive with the doors locked. Opening and closing the door doesn't seem to accomplish anything. Doesn't seem related to speed, gear, weather, just random and may stop/start at a moment's notice. All other switches working per normal standards.

Any ideas?

[valiant67]

I had a similar problem with the 1994 LeBaron convertible I used to own. In my case, the door was no longer in proper alignment. Short term solution was to tape a penny to where the switch hit to keep the switch's plunger in when the door was closed. Long term fix was to fix where my driver's door hinge had cracks around it which allowed the door to sag.

[bazzwell]

That makes perfect sense, thank you. I think the penny is the route of choice. The '90 is at 135k and at the point where I either throw a couple grand at it or put the '94 with 16k into regular service.

[Bob Lincoln]

The other possibility is that the BCM module in the passenger kickpad has gotten wet, shorted out, or has loose/intermittent connnectors. That's what happened in my last Daytona.

[george w]

Have you replaced the door jamb switch ? If the door hinges are badly worn then there may be enough door movement for the switch to think the door's ajar. Theres a small plunger cap in the very end of the switch that allows a new switch to take an initial "set" when it's first installed. Eventually this cap get's pressed all the way in and the switch may be on the edge of breaking contact when the door is closed. I'd try a new switch first. This switch is still in production as I know it's used on the rear doors of PT Cruisers. It's made by Delco and I've seen them on the internet and eBay too. They're about $ 12.

When these switches get worn you'll find that you get this eratic behavior. The BCM thinks the door was opened and then it goes into the relock mode since the car's moving. If the switch is teetering on the edge you can get continued re'locking which is quite annoying.

[TWX]

Heh. An ex-girlfriend had a Mazda that actually said, "The Door... is ajar... the Door... is ajar..." over and over again when it was open. Someone who was mad at her (of which there were lots and lots of possiblities) broke her door sensor switch. Everywhere she went, the car constantly misinformed her that her door was ajar. I think she drove it to Tucson that way at least once...

I know, not related to the topic, but I couldn't resist sharing...

[RaiRai]

Have you replaced the door jamb switch ? If the door hinges are badly worn then there may be enough door movement for the switch to think the door's ajar. Theres a small plunger cap in the very end of the switch that allows a new switch to take an initial "set" when it's first installed. Eventually this cap get's pressed all the way in and the switch may be on the edge of breaking contact when the door is closed. I'd try a new switch first. This switch is still in production as I know it's used on the rear doors of PT Cruisers. It's made by Delco and I've seen them on the internet and eBay too. They're about $ 12.

When these switches get worn you'll find that you get this eratic behavior. The BCM thinks the door was opened and then it goes into the relock mode since the car's moving. If the switch is teetering on the edge you can get continued re'locking which is quite annoying.

Today I replaced the original switches with universal type, here's a link to a photo:
http://www.biltema.f...ge/43-011_h.jpg
You just may need to shorten the plunger, otherwise fits without any mods, needs only 1 screw instead of 2 for the original.
I found the original switches unreliable and eventually the other switch exploded to pieces while I was testing it.

[bazzwell]

Today I replaced the original switches with universal type, here's a link to a photo:
http://www.biltema.f...ge/43-011_h.jpg
You just may need to shorten the plunger, otherwise fits without any mods, needs only 1 screw instead of 2 for the original.
I found the original switches unreliable and eventually the other switch exploded to pieces while I was testing it.

Very nice, thank you!

[Beverly Leblanc]

I'm having a problem like this .i have a pt cruiser and the rear door trunk lock keeps popping opened while driving.Any clue?please help

[chuzz]

You may just need to adjust the latch on that PT.