'72 "Door Ajar" Idiot Light Problem

[Kevin Morris]

"Door Ajar" light in center gauge console does not work. All of the background gauge lights work, the "Seat Belt Warning" light and the "Headlamp Up" light bulbs work as well. I have put a new bulb in the socket for the "Door Ajar" light, checked the fuses, etc. Nothing seems to make it work. Any ideas?

Kevin #39927

[Jim T.]

Re: '72 "Door Ajar" Idiot Light Problem

Could be the switch located at rear bottom door opening.

[Kevin Morris]

Re: '72 "Door Ajar" Idiot Light Problem

Jim, are you referring to the little switch (button) in the door jambs....front of door jambs on my '72....near the door's hinges? If so, these work fine, as they DO make the interior courtesy lights go off and on when the door's are opened and closed. Is there a seperate wire (seperate from the wire that operates the interior courtesy lights), from these switches, that JUST goes to the "Door Ajar" light?

Kevin #39927

[Terry M.]

Re: '72 "Door Ajar" Idiot Light Problem *TL*

Kevin, Jim said: "Could be the switch located at rear bottom door opening."

The rear switches are the ones that operate the door ajar circuit. Forget the front switches. It is common for these rear switches to:
A) be damaged as folks enter and exit the car
B) the small metal plate they screw into (held to the back of the fiberglass by two rivets)loses the connection to ground.

[Kevin Morris]

Re: '72 "Door Ajar" Idiot Light Problem

Jim and Terry, thx for the suggestion regarding the switches. I had never realized (or noticed) that there were switches low on the rear jamb (have only had this car for a couple of months...my first C3). I spent an hour taking the switches out, cleaning them, making certain the three wires made contact with the switch plate, etc. They work fine now, as does the idiot light!

Kevin #39927

[Terry M.]

Congratulations *NM* *TL*

[Jeff A.]

Re: Congratulations

Over time you may see that the light reappears as the switches are self adjusting. If this happens, pulling the plunger out a little will move the gray sleweve forward ands reset the switch. If the doors are adjusted they may upset it also.