Door warning light stays lit on dash - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

darylzero · 02-22-2009, 04:40 PM

Hi,

I was just driving home and noticed the open door light on my dash was lit. When I got home I checked all the doors and the trunk and it stayed lit. I then noticed the button covered by the rubber part on the door jam. I pressed it in on the drivers side door and the light only went dim it didn't go away.
Only reason I care about this is that if I turn the alarm on after about a minute the alarm goes off. I live in the city so I need my doors locked.
I guess I can try just locking with the keys

Is there a way I can fix this? Changing a fuse shouldn't fix the problem would it?

Thanks

***BMR*** · 02-22-2009, 10:47 PM

The door switches are probably getting balky. Take them out and hose them down liberally with WD40 (or something similar) while pushing the switch in & out a bunch of times. They get dusty and dirty inside with age. They come out really easy; one bolt under the rubber bootie.

frojoe · 02-23-2009, 02:43 PM

If cleaning them doesn't work, which it should, this would be an easy find at a junkyard.

Mike Gerber · 02-23-2009, 09:00 PM

One or more of the door switches are probably rusty in the back. Lift up the rubber cover and you will see the one bolt that BMR mentioned. It should be a 10MM hex head bolt. Remove it and pull the switch assembly out just far enough to work on it. Leave the electrical connector attached. Chances are it is all rusty back there. Get a small wire brush and clean off all the rust in the switch and it's spring. Also clean the rust off the bolt, as it grounds the switch to the body of the car. Smear some dielectric grease (available at any auto parts store for a few dollars) over everything you have cleaned, to prevent the rust from coming back. Reinsert the switch and the bolt. Most likely your problem will be solved. This should take about 15 minutes for both the front door switches.

Mike

darylzero · 02-25-2009, 09:02 PM

Thanks a LOT guys for the responses. I forgot to post back later that night.

When I went to my car a few hours later the light was off. What I think happened was that I went to a car wash (one at a gas station) and the water must of done something. anyway so far so good and if it does come back at least I know what to do now thanks to you guys!!