Just in case anyone has this problem during these cold winter months...

It was about 21 degrees last night and I went to get gas in the F-150. Hadn't driven it since Sunday morning, so it had been sitting in the cold for a while. When I left my house, the "Door Ajar" message and light was on. I opened and closed all doors several times and couldn't get it to go off. Went to the gas station and bank...still on. When I got home the interior light wouldn't go off becuase it said the door was still ajar. So I had to fix the problem so it wouldn't drain the battery overnight.

Finally fixed it by locking and unlocking the doors several times, really fast. I think something was frozen in the driver's side door.

So if it happens to you, do this.

 

Thanks for the info.

 

Had it happen to me after washing it when it was 6deg. out. Couldnt figure out which switch it was that was sticking, after a few minutes the inside lights went out as I was thinking I may need to disconnect the battery overnight. Warmed up a bit the next day and all was back to normal when I started it up.

 

I have accidently not fully shut my door once or twice. After a while (not sure how long) the interior lights will go off automatically. Somehow, the truck realizes it was a mistake and saves the battery by turning off the lights.

 

I also had this happen when I washed my truck at 10 degrees. I shot some WD-40 in the door locks and fixed the problem immediately. Hope this helps.

 

Same here. Mine lasted 2 days. If it happens again, I don't have to worry about the interior lights? Do they shut off after so long? I ended up always turning the dimmer switch off because I was worried that the battery would go dead.

Mine happened right after I washed mine, also. Outside temp was 0 deg.

I'll have to remember the WD-40 trick for next time.

 

Do you guys wash your trucks with ice cubes?

 

My thoughts exactly. And I was thinking I was nuts to wash mine in 35 degree weather. You guys are real men. I'm in awe!

I'm sure I'm not the only who's curious how you wash a truck in single digit temps without instant freezing. It's only in the mid 20's here and my garden hose won't have any part of it.....

What's the secret?

 

We cheat here in Minnesota when its that cold, we run the vehicles through the car wash. Thats why the water gets in the door and freezes.

 

That's right! Real men? I am and I know I am not afraid to brave the cold and DRIVE over to the Simoniz Car Wash and let them take and run it through the wash. Then they dry most of it off (doors freeze) and then it looks wonderful.

It even comes with a 5 day warranty; if for any reason it needs another wash within 5 days, they will redo it for FREE.

I have to have my baby lookin' AWESOME!!!

(besides, with the fuel economy you guys have seen me post, I'm afraid that any little amount of dirt might weight the truck down and I might loose anonther 4-5 mpg! HAHA)

 

What are you dummies doing washing your trucks when it's that cold? I wait until it is at least 25 degree.

 

The best solution, by far, is to live in a place where it usually warms up to 40 every afternoon. That's one reason I luv NM.

 

I washed mine at one of the do it yourself places, with the high pressure wands. It was 15 degrees that day, needless to say i had a mess. The soap instantly froze to the truck. I was able to get it off with water but then the water would freeze. i wish I had heated mirrors that day, I couldn't use my side views for two days. I am hoping to find an 04 in my local junkyard, with heated signal mirrors.

Adam

 

Im glad I don't have to worry about the water freezing while washing my truck. So far this Jan its averaged about 75 degrees. Have to love Austin Tx. I have free car washes anyway so it doesn't matter if it was freezing, someone else would put up with it.