Door ajar light doesn't work

[poundkey]

No, this isn't the usual problem where the door ajar light stays on; in my case, the light will NOT come on!

It's a 2002 4Runner SR5 4WD. A few months ago, I noticed that sometimes my doors would be open (or latched part way) while I was driving, but the door open light was not illuminated on the dashboard.

I know the sensors are working because the door locks won't automatically lock if a door is open when I start the engine. I could use that as an indicator that one of the doors is open, but I'd prefer to have the door ajar light functioning correctly.

Also, when I set the alarm, the "door open" tone sounds if a door is open; this also verifies that the sensors are working.

I've checked fuses, and all other lights on the dashboard appear to be functioning correctly.

Any ideas what could be causing this?

Thanks!

 

[MONTYMTB]

No, this isn't the usual problem where the door ajar light stays on; in my case, the light will NOT come on!

It's a 2002 4Runner SR5 4WD. A few months ago, I noticed that sometimes my doors would be open (or latched part way) while I was driving, but the door open light was not illuminated on the dashboard.

I know the sensors are working because the door locks won't automatically lock if a door is open when I start the engine. I could use that as an indicator that one of the doors is open, but I'd prefer to have the door ajar light functioning correctly.

Also, when I set the alarm, the "door open" tone sounds if a door is open; this also verifies that the sensors are working.

I've checked fuses, and all other lights on the dashboard appear to be functioning correctly.

Any ideas what could be causing this?

Thanks!

From everything that you've described, I would say there's a good chance it's just a bad bulb in the cluster. Pretty easy to get to and swap out, this thread should get you pointed in the right direction.

EDIT: You might try tapping on the cover with your finger a few times - I had a back light on mine that would go off from time to time, and would come back on when I did that. It eventually stayed on and I haven't had to replace it yet.

 

[poundkey]

I didn't realize it was that easy to access the dashboard lights; thanks for the suggestion! I don't think it could be anything else (besides a loose connection), so I'll check it out. One of the lights behind the speedometer was intermittent for a while, but I must have hit a bump in the road just right because it has been fine for the last year or two. It must have been another bump that took out the door ajar light.....

 

[jeremyc74]

From everything that you've described, I would say there's a good chance it's just a bad bulb in the cluster.

Now that you mention this, I think I've seen that light before, but not for a long time. I'm thinking mine may be out too.

I've been putting off the LED conversion for months, so I guess I'll get off my ass this weekend and dig into it again. :banana:

 

[timmay217]

This happened to me. My driver's door would work, but my rear driver's side would open and not activate the light.

If you open the door, remove the rubber covering the sensor, there's a bolt you should remove and clean up. Apparently it's a ground for that door's sensor. I cleaned mine up and re-installed everything. Works everytime now