Seeing the door ajar warning light or error message is a common sign of a faulty door ajar sensor. But, how to fix door ajar sensor? To do that, you’ll need to remove the door latch or courtesy switch part, clean the sensor’s pathway, and then replace the part (if needed).
In case you are planning to do it yourself, this guide is ideal for you! Here, I’ll share the step-by-step process on how you can fix the door ajar sensor issue with ease.
Keep on reading to know more!
Table of Contents
This is How To Fix Door Ajar Sensor
Before trying anything at all, check if the door ajar is disabled. Repairing the issue of the door ajar sensor may take no more than 15 minutes if you have all the gears and a manual. You may wonder and get curious about how much does it cost to fix a car door sensor.
It costs around $150 to $500 to fix a car door sensor via an expert mechanic. The exact amount depends on labor costs. However, it can cost less than $50 to $100 if you do it yourself.
To stop spending money on repair and fuel, here’s how you can do it on your own:
Step #1: Take Out the Door Latch Part
- To begin with, open the door on the driver’s side of your car.
- Then, grab a star-shaped screwdriver and remove the screw that’s keeping the door latch or courtesy switch in place.
- Once that’s done, take off the black cover that’s covering the inside of the door latch or courtesy switch.
- Finally, disconnect the connector cable that’s attached to the door latch or courtesy switch, which is responsible for the sensor that lets you know if the door is open or closed.
Step #2: Clean the Door Ajar Sensor’s Pathway
- Next, you’ll need to use a thread or rope to tie on the connector cable. This way you can ensure it doesn’t fall inside the body.
- Afterward, flip the door latch or courtesy switch part and you’ll find the metal strip near the small sensor.
- Then, take a flat screwdriver to lift the sharp metal strip carefully and ensure it does not cause scratches.
- Now, use low-grit sandpaper to clean the metal strip properly. Be gentle when sanding it as overdoing it can cause damage.
- After that, grab a thin metal wire or needle to clean the pathway of the door ajar sensor button. Be careful when cleaning it.
- Then, you’ll need to use rubbing alcohol or perfume in a cotton swab and rub the sensor thoroughly.
- Once it’s done, put the metal strip back in its place.
- Afterward, test it out by inserting the connector cable. If this doesn’t help fix the door ajar sensor issue, then move to the next step.
Step #3: Replace the Door Latch Part
- After that, remove the door latch or courtesy switch part again from the connector cable.
- Then, insert a new door latch or courtesy switch part and connect the connector cable.
- Next, press the black cover in the door latch or courtesy switch part inside the hole.
- Afterward, attach the screw to the hole and reinstall it using the star-shaped screwdriver. Done!
Pro Tip: To secure the door ajar sensor, you can insert a soft rag or cloth behind the door latch or courtesy switch part.
Ending Notes
Now that you know how to fix the door ajar sensor, it’s a perfect time for you to try it at home. This is a petty simple task that doesn’t require much mechanical skill or gears (except for star and flat screwdrivers).
And, if your car’s dashboard still shows the error message, it may happen due to a bad door ajar switch. To fix it, be sure to replace the door ajar switch by following this guide.
Hope you like this guide to know the procedure in detail and fix the issue of the door ajar sensor. Best of Luck!
