Need Help!!!!!

stang723

New Member
Jan 3, 2003
163
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houston, texas
I have two problems..............1) This one happened first; the light in the inside of my car, on the roof, wont go out, even with both doors closed, trunk closed, etc. So does anyone know how to get this light to turn off? 2) Because the light was turned on i thought that something was blocking the door latch or something, so i accidentaly forced the latch in the door down, and i cant get it back up, so my right door wont close (I am such a genius). I would really appreciate some help or advice, cuz my usual mechanic isnt open until monday, because of christmas break.. thanks.
 
2nd problem first. Look at the door latch mechanism and stick a screwdriver in through the side (in behind the latch hook). Open the door handle and pull out on the screwdriver (towards the driver's side, not the rear of the car). The screwdriver should act like the door pin and pull the latch out as if the door is being opened. That should do it. Next, don't do that again.

1st problem: I'd suspect one of the door switches (in the door jam towards the front of the car) is bad. First push in in and out a bunch of times just in case it's stuck (not likely though). Next, pull them out and test them with a voltmeter. Replace if necessary.

On edit: I forgot to ask the obvious. You did make sure the interior light wasn't manually turned on, right?
 
Well I got the door unlatched, and i tried what you said about pushing the door switches in and out, and the light didnt go off, so does this mean that i need to replace them? Should i just go to a ford dealer and ask for them?
 
stang723 said:
Well I got the door unlatched, and i tried what you said about pushing the door switches in and out, and the light didnt go off, so does this mean that i need to replace them? Should i just go to a ford dealer and ask for them?

Not knowing how electrical savvy you are, if it was me, I'd first remove them and test them to make sure that it is indeed the switches that are bad. They are a normally open switch (closed when the door is open). And yes, the dealer should carry them (or maybe even the local parts store).

Until then, I'd pull the bulb just to make sure the battery doesn't drain though.