<<DOOR AJAR>> warning light
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 10,362
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From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!
<<DOOR AJAR>> warning light
My car keeps lying to me !!! It thinks my door is a jar.
I just got through replacing the door weatherstrips (no hood ones yet) and I guess the extra thickness of the sripping has confused the buttons on the doors. The doors have a button on the front, by the hinges and also one at the back beneath the latch. Which one activates the light? My sense of geometry tells me that if there was any appreciable difference it would be more at the farthest point from the fulcrum (the rear switches). Is that a good guess?
When the light flashes, it goes OUT when I open the left door... and it continues to flash after I shut the door. How can that be?
:mad :confused: :mad :confused: :hat
I just got through replacing the door weatherstrips (no hood ones yet) and I guess the extra thickness of the sripping has confused the buttons on the doors. The doors have a button on the front, by the hinges and also one at the back beneath the latch. Which one activates the light? My sense of geometry tells me that if there was any appreciable difference it would be more at the farthest point from the fulcrum (the rear switches). Is that a good guess?
When the light flashes, it goes OUT when I open the left door... and it continues to flash after I shut the door. How can that be?
:mad :confused: :mad :confused: :hat
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: Godfrey Illinois
Re: <<DOOR AJAR>> warning light (SanDiegoPaul)
Greetings,
You're right...it is the switch in the rear that activates the light. The switch could be bad...I purchased a new left one for the 74 at a GM dealer for $3.85 (It's the same as a regular door jamb switch) and no problems since. The right one seems to work fine. As far as why the light flickers...the shaft in the switch could be worn, therefore more apt to move at the slightest bump.
Jason
You're right...it is the switch in the rear that activates the light. The switch could be bad...I purchased a new left one for the 74 at a GM dealer for $3.85 (It's the same as a regular door jamb switch) and no problems since. The right one seems to work fine. As far as why the light flickers...the shaft in the switch could be worn, therefore more apt to move at the slightest bump.
Jason
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,675
Likes: 13
From: Sudbury MA
Re: <<DOOR AJAR>> warning light (SanDiegoPaul)
You are correct. The "Door Ajar" switches are located at the rear of the door, not on the hinge pillar.
You can try experimenting by turning the threaded portion of the switch in or out to adjust or you may have to go to switches with different lenght pins. A good auto parts store should have different length switches. I know some of the Corvette aftermarket catalogs show them in their catalog pages. I just replaced my door weatherstrips so I may encounter the same problem soon.
You can try experimenting by turning the threaded portion of the switch in or out to adjust or you may have to go to switches with different lenght pins. A good auto parts store should have different length switches. I know some of the Corvette aftermarket catalogs show them in their catalog pages. I just replaced my door weatherstrips so I may encounter the same problem soon.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,218
Likes: 0
From: Glendale AZ
Re: <<DOOR AJAR>> warning light (SanDiegoPaul)
I have the same problem, but only when the car is moving. its a bad ground somewhere, but Im not going to tear up my car looking for a single wire grounding.
Do what I do. Tell my friends that its a "multi-fuction light. when the car is still the light is a DOOR ADJAR warning. While driving its a VIBRATION INDICATOR- if the vehicle is vibrating the light will tell me"
Only half of my friends get the joke
...man I need new friends.
cheers
chad
Do what I do. Tell my friends that its a "multi-fuction light. when the car is still the light is a DOOR ADJAR warning. While driving its a VIBRATION INDICATOR- if the vehicle is vibrating the light will tell me"
Only half of my friends get the joke
...man I need new friends.
cheers
chad
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 10,866
Likes: 717
From: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
Re: <<DOOR AJAR>> warning light (71'AirStrike)
Your new WS it thicker....doesn't allow the door to close as far as it once did, and therefore it's not pushing the switch in as far as is needed to release it. The cure? Two possibilities.
First, try to CAREFULLY unscrew the switch a turn or two. This will lengthen it allowing the door to depress the plunger. BE CAREFUL doing this. If you're not, you'll twist/booger the wires and it won't work at all.
The second cure....go to the hardware store and buy some of those "green felt" "dots", the kind you put on the bottom of furniture to keep it from scratching. Glue a dot or two on the inner edge of the door where it contacts the switch. That will allow it to be pushed in further. If you look hard enough, you might find "color coordinated" dots to match your paint. :) Chuck
First, try to CAREFULLY unscrew the switch a turn or two. This will lengthen it allowing the door to depress the plunger. BE CAREFUL doing this. If you're not, you'll twist/booger the wires and it won't work at all.
The second cure....go to the hardware store and buy some of those "green felt" "dots", the kind you put on the bottom of furniture to keep it from scratching. Glue a dot or two on the inner edge of the door where it contacts the switch. That will allow it to be pushed in further. If you look hard enough, you might find "color coordinated" dots to match your paint. :) Chuck
