Door Ajar light and erratic window closing. | Ford Thunderbird forum club group 1955-2005 models
  • We're glad you found us via a search engine! Right now, you can join our club absolutely free and unlock member only features like the site search! This notice only appears once! It only takes 30 seconds to register, and we would love to have you as part of the World's largest Thunderbird Forum/Club! Click here to continue

  • Click here to remove google ads from the site
  • Click " Like/Thanks" at the bottom of a member's post to reward and thank them for their response! Points are added to their profile.
  • 2002-05 Owners. As of August 2022 there is now an entire suspension kit for sale! Scroll down to the bottom of the first post click here.

  • Get rid of swirls and minor paint surface scratches with this Polish & Compounds kit. Click here to read more!.

Door Ajar light and erratic window closing.

  • Thread starter Thread starter Pelagic
  • Start date Start date
Pelagic

Pelagic

Reaction score
44
Thunderbird Year
2003
My door ajar light keeps coming on and both the driver and passenger door windows "think" the door is ajar because they will not close all the way. I have done the re-calibration method in the manual numerous times, and occasionally, when I close the doors, the ajar light does go out and the windows do close. So I think the window behavior is working correctly but the door sensors are shot. Just ordered one to try for passenger side.
Any others out there have this issue? How difficult was it to swap out sensor? Any tricks?
Thanks!

This page contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated. As an eBay Partner, and Amazon Associate I may be compensated if you make a purchase at no cost to you.

 
My door ajar light keeps coming on and both the driver and passenger door windows "think" the door is ajar because they will not close all the way. I have done the re-calibration method in the manual numerous times, and occasionally, when I close the doors, the ajar light does go out and the windows do close. So I think the window behavior is working correctly but the door sensors are shot. Just ordered one to try for passenger side.
Any others out there have this issue? How difficult was it to swap out sensor? Any tricks?
Thanks!
Hi Pelagic, Not sure if this is the same issue as your having, but I had a problem with my 2002 where my passenger door window didn't drop down when the door opens, I did a simple reset which was: With the door closed, put the window all the way down and hold the button for 3-5 seconds, then raise the window all the way up and again hold the button for 3-5 seconds. Worked like a charm for me. Not sure what the manual said to do, I found the above window reset instuctions online. Hope this info is helpful.
 
BBird. Thanks for the reply. Yea - I did that. (That's what it says to do in the manual.)
But that is not the problem I'm having. Instead, even after recalibrating, I'll open the door, window drops a touch, then close the door, window goes up, then back down (and door ajar light is on.) I suspect the door sensor so am going to replace and see what happens.
 
BBird. Thanks for the reply. Yea - I did that. (That's what it says to do in the manual.)
But that is not the problem I'm having. Instead, even after recalibrating, I'll open the door, window drops a touch, then close the door, window goes up, then back down (and door ajar light is on.) I suspect the door sensor so am going to replace and see what happens.
Good luck, hope it's an easy fix.
 
Had the window problem a couple times. some how I got the top and windows unsynced. And I couldn't shut the doors because the windows wouldn't retract for loss of a better word. Dropped the windows all the way down. Opened the top and closed it. Got out disconnected the battery. Waited a bit. Reconnected it. Closed the windows and all was well again. As I recall the alarm went off when I stuck the key in. It worked but I have zero idea why.
 
Replaced the passenger door switch and took apart the driver side door as well. Just removed driver side switch and cleaned it up/lubed w/WD40 and reassembled. No more Door Ajar light! BTW - since I could find NOTHING on youtube about disassembling doors for these cars, I figured it out by trial and error. The not-so-obvious part being that you have to remove the speaker covers, then 3 screws that hold the speaker into the door before you can remove the whole door panel. Also - for anyone that ever has to do this, the driver side and passenger side switches are different parts. Not interchangeable. Now - has anyone had to adjusted their doors to better latch? Again, found nothing on the net specific to 02-05 Tbirds. Is this a hinge pin removal and bushings replacement?
 
My door ajar light keeps coming on and both the driver and passenger door windows "think" the door is ajar because they will not close all the way. I have done the re-calibration method in the manual numerous times, and occasionally, when I close the doors, the ajar light does go out and the windows do close. So I think the window behavior is working correctly but the door sensors are shot. Just ordered one to try for passenger side.
Any others out there have this issue? How difficult was it to swap out sensor? Any tricks?
Thanks!
My 2002 Tbird had a "ghost" in it. The driver window wouldn't work from time to time, the radio stayed on when I left the car, the windshield wipers came on all by themselves, the engine would cut out, the headlights went out now and then, etc. These things all happened only from time to time. It turned out to be a "sensor". It cost about $700 for the part but sent my ghost packing.
 
Redbird I have this problem. Did you take it to the dealer? What was the approximate cost of repair?
 
Hi Pelagic, Not sure if this is the same issue as your having, but I had a problem with my 2002 where my passenger door window didn't drop down when the door opens, I did a simple reset which was: With the door closed, put the window all the way down and hold the button for 3-5 seconds, then raise the window all the way up and again hold the button for 3-5 seconds. Worked like a charm for me. Not sure what the manual said to do, I found the above window reset instuctions online. Hope this info is helpful.
I also had that issue today with my window not rolling down that 1/4in. I tried your remedy and it worked perfectly! Thank you!!
 
Light module assy?? Do you know if this is considered the FEM? Mine is doing all of the above. My car is like it is on crack
Mine was a bad FEM. It goes by a dozen different names. It is the main computer module that controls many of the functions at the front of the car and driver's side. After 16 years the capacitors are going bad. Really, how many 16 year old computers do we rely on daily that still work? Lulu if you are having the same problems I had, then you need to look at replacing the FEM. Mine never gave a bad code. But when the headlights went out driving at night I had to have it replaced.
 
Thank you.. Anything on the open door light and alarm? by chance... also.
Mine was a bad FEM. It goes by a dozen different names. It is the main computer module that controls many of the functions at the front of the car and driver's side. After 16 years the capacitors are going bad. Really, how many 16 year old computers do we rely on daily that still work? Lulu if you are having the same problems I had, then you need to look at replacing the FEM. Mine never gave a bad code. But when the headlights went out driving at night I had to have it replaced.
All my issues are saying FEM..lol Darn car.. I already had the Rem rebuilt.. Same thing.. no code.. Mine only has 13,000 miles . I just bought it 2 months ago and it had not been running at all.. and stored outside. So I will send out the FEM next week and update the post
 
Back
Top