Door open switch location

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DanHall

New Member
I cannot locate a switch for controlling the courtesy lights. The passenger side works fine (though I can't find that switch either). The driver's side door open will not turn the courtesy light on. Usually these are mounted in the door opening but I see nothing like that there.
Does anyone know where these switches are or where I can find diagram or illustrations for 2003 std. cab.? Even wiring diagram better than Haynes would help.
 
Well I finally found it INSIDE the door.
Here is the sequence for replacing the switch.
Remove door panel.
Reach in and feel just under the latch,
Unhook the std type clip connector,
turn the switch 1/4 turn to release it.
Reverse procedure for installing new switch.
I had hard time getting the new one in because it was close quarters for my hand and I couldn't see to get it aligned right. Tape the metal cutouts with some duct tape to keep from getting cut on metal edges when reaching in. Thirty trys or so and I got it. Problem fixed.\
I did it with the latch tight but have since seen a method that calls for loosening the latch just enough to provide some wiggle room. That might have helped it be less of a hassle but I guess I did the hard way.
Another thing that some say works and avoids taking the switch out is to spray WD-40 into the latch from outside and see if it loosens up enough to work. My problem was the light not coming on - but for those with it sticking on and running battery down- it might be different since switch grounds the circuit one way since it is always hot..
 
DanHall said:
Well I finally found it INSIDE the door.
Here is the sequence for replacing the switch.
Remove door panel.
Reach in and feel just under the latch,
Unhook the std type clip connector,
turn the switch 1/4 turn to release it.
Reverse procedure for installing new switch.
I had hard time getting the new one in because it was close quarters for my hand and I couldn't see to get it aligned right. Tape the metal cutouts with some duct tape to keep from getting cut on metal edges when reaching in. Thirty trys or so and I got it. Problem fixed.\
I did it with the latch tight but have since seen a method that calls for loosening the latch just enough to provide some wiggle room. That might have helped it be less of a hassle but I guess I did the hard way.
Another thing that some say works and avoids taking the switch out is to spray WD-40 into the latch from outside and see if it loosens up enough to work. My problem was the light not coming on - but for those with it sticking on and running battery down- it might be different since switch grounds the circuit one way since it is always hot..
Click to expand...

hi there mate! thanks for the idea i almost forgot the basic which is to spray it with a WD-40. just imagine how much it will cost me if im gonna be replacing that ford part. even if i replace it with a used part for sure that will be a pain in the arse thing to do. anyway sorry for digging up this thread i just wanna say thanks! :thumbup: i just realize the cost of ford parts from this site.
 
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As for me I wouldn't replace the switch with anything but a brand new one that I had checked myself before installing. It would not be worth all the trouble getting to it again in such tight quarters inside the door. If I put a used part in (or even a new untested part- especially if from a discount store), only to have it fail in the next 30,000 miles, I'd be kicking myself in the arse for a long time.
 
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