My 2003 F250 Crew Cab front passenger door wasn't turning on the dome light when the door opened. Until recently, I just tried to fix it by replacing the Door Ajar Relay/switch that's at the bottom of the door latch. Now I have the opposite problem. It's like I've reversed the polarity or something, the lights come on when the door is closed, and turn off when the door is open.

Am I missing a certain way of installing the relay with the latch open/closed, etc.? Brand new door ajar relay, even tried a new latch assembly, only thing I haven't changed is the plastic mechanism that attaches to the latch assembly.

I've tried multiple times to set the latch in either position and nothing seems to work.

Any thoughts or experience with this? Thanks.

 

There are considerations if,,,,,,,,,,,,
the vehicle is a crew cab
does or does not have remote keyless entry.
We know it is a crew cab, but what about the RKE ?

 

it does have a remote keyless entry, I used that to test the system, normally when it locks the lights go out, after installing the next relay the lights stayed on.

I purchased the relay from a ford dealership, specifically told them what side door it was.

maybe the relay is the wrong part?

 

Can you reinstall the original sw and let us know if all goes back to original problem, thanks.

Also,, is the switch for the interior lamps in the on or off position?
There are many things that have to be ruled out in order to proceed
.The info I have does not show an actual dome lamp, but it does show individual entry lamps for specific door areas. Can you help clear this up?

 

So I reinstalled the old switch, and it performs the same as the new switch and functions properly, just not when it's installed in the latch mechanism.

Before installing them in the latch mechanism, I held the switch with my thumb, and the lights turned off, released and the lights came on. So the switches work.

I also found that the position/rotation that the switch apparently affects the operation of the switch. Best way I can describe it is with a clock-reference: If you're looking at the door where the actual latch is, consider that 6 o clock, the opposite side of the door where the exterior handle would be 12 o clock... I've got the switch to work as designed ONLY when it's facing about 1 or 2 oclock direction. The problem is that when I try to install the three bolts that secure the latch mechanism in place, there's not enough space for the switch to remain in that position, it forces it another direction and the lights staying on problem returns.

Do these switches need to be installed in a particular order and/or position? I've tried rotating it every which direction and that 1/2oclock position is the ONLY one I find that works, but cannot work at the same time when you secure the latch mechanism back to the door.

 

have you found a solution? I've been pulling my hair out trying to figure out why I'm having this issue... but I've learned with most vehicles problems aren't special they are usually common. I've recently read forums where the vcm may need to be scanned and reprogrammed. I'm going to try it today. I'll Holla back if I have any success. Good luck