This is my first post and I'm hoping someone can answer some questions for me about my new Ranger ( I'm semi-retired and not too mechanically inclined). My 2003 FX4 Supercab is auto, 4.0L, 4.10, Flareside , has 85,000 miles and looks new inside and out, whoever ever bought this truck new took extremely good care of it. This Ranger is replacing my 1988 Ranger 4x2 that was a very good truck but needed a new transmission and engine overhauled so I just decided I wanted to get a newer one after driving it for 14 years. I did alot of internet searches before buying my 2003 Ranger trying to figure out what years and options I wanted and this pickup is what I ended up with.

For the 3 weeks I've had it I've had trouble with the "Door Ajar" light on the instrument panel that doesn't seem to be working properly. I even noticed this twice when I drove it at the dealership before buying it and told the salesmen about it. I've been opening and closing my front and back doors alot during the time I've had it just messing with it like playing with my custom stereo but when I start my pickup the "Door Ajar" light comes on and then I've got to go around and slam each door to see if it will go off and it has until yesterday. By the way all four door doors seem to take some heft to shut them.

I've been told this is very common in 03's and it is a sensor on the driver's rocker panel and all I have to do is clean it and then it will start working properly again. Problem is I don't know exactly what I'm looking for on the rocker panel, I've wiped off anything that I guess maybe could be a sensor but my "door ajar" light is still on. Is anyone familar with this issue and if so could you post a picture of where the sensor is located?

Also it may be my imagination (since I've only had my Ranger a short time) but slowing down to a stop and accelerating from a stop I think I notice a slight hitch or hesitation in the transmission downshifting and upshifting, is this a normal occurence? Could this be it's 5 speed auto transmission that I'm just getting used to?

 

try spraying some wd-40 or other lubricant inside the locking mechanism on the door and it should help the door ajar light problem, I had the same problem on my '99 and '04 models

 

I assume you're talking about on the driver's side door. If the door sensor is supposedly located on the driver's side rocker panel how does this work since my Ranger is a SuperCab and all four doors open and shut?

Doing a search says it is either a button switch in the door jam or in the latch, so which is it for my model?