Jim Grant's Tech Tips '97 Mercury Sable, Dome/Door Warning Lights Q: I just bought a 97 Mercury Sable with a 3.0 V6. Everything on the car seems fine except that I noticed the dome light was not working. I replaced the dome light with a new bulb and now it won't turn off. I also replaced the little floor area bulbs and they won't go off either. When you close ALL the doors fully, the open door red warning light on the cluster stays on even while you are driving. I changed the fuses and it still does this. I had to take off the dome light bulb and the little floor light bulbs and the fuse in order for the red warning light to turn off. What in the world is up with this???? It makes no sense whatsoever!!!! A: Oh it makes plenty of sense, you have a sticking door switch. The fun part is figuring out which door switch is responsible for your problem. The switch/switches that Im referring to are situated inside each door of the vehicle on the door latch mechanism. The easiest way to determine which door switch is the problem? Use a computer scan tool that can access the vehicles body control computer. Once in the right system the scan tool will display which door is ajar. A replacement switch doesnt cost much it just takes time to install. The inside door panel has to be removed to gain access to the switch. It is pretty tight quarters to work in with a lot of sharp edges so band aids should be on hand when replacing the switch.
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