This is the second time this has happened to my '01. The door ajar notification comes on the DIC, interior lights on and warning chime and the alarm won't set without going off after a few minutes since the car thinks the door is open. The first time was after I was in a heavy down pour and drove through a bunch of large puddles. I could open and close the passenger door and it would be OK for just a few minutes and start all over. I carried it to the dealer and they couldn't find a problem and they said that they used a hose on and around the door and couldn't get it to do it for them.

This time the car has sat outside for the last four days. It has rained pretty heavy a few days ago and when my girlfriend drove it to work this morning she called me and said the alarm kept going off and and the door ajar was on the dash.

When she came to my fire station after she got off so I could take a look I opened the passenger door and there was water droplets all over the inside of the door near the latch mechanism and on the car itself. I examined all of the gaskets around the door and they all appeared to be fine and the doo appears to be closing fully.

My question is where is the water coming from and how is it getting there to short out the door switch. Is there any way to shield the switch from moisture? This is pretty annoying.

Any ideas and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Marshall

 

ttt

 

Try lubing every seal you can get your hands on with dielectric grease. Sometimes this is all you need to fully seal a borderline interface. Also, the next time you are planning to wash your car try this first:
Hose the door and surrounding areas for 10 seconds, wait a minute, and then investigate. Hopefully, you'll be able to see where the leak is coming from.

Good luck.

 

I'll try the silicone grease detail but it's very annoying to have a $28k car with a bunch of rinky-dink issues. Anyone else have this problem?

 

I hate to say this, but you may be among the minority of those of us who have C5s; I'd guess most of us keep our C5s in a garage. It's possible many of us would have this issue if
a) we lived and drove in an area that sees plenty of rain and
b) we kept our cars outside while it is raining.

Be persistant and you will find the problem.