Mysterious door ajar light

[JimmyO]

OK, I just got this 07 Vibe new last week. But in the last few days, I've noticed something strange. I unlock the car remotely, open the driver door and get in, close the door. My door ajar light is on. I open the door i just used and close it again. Light is still on. I try all the doors (none of which I used). Turns out it thinks the hatch is "open." But it's clearly not. I wouldn't be able to lock the car in the first place if it was. After opening and closing the hatch, the light goes off.Here's the weird thing, it only seems to happen if the car is sitting for a long period of time. If it sits overnight, or while I'm at work, this happens. I drive to the store, run in and out, it doesn't happen. I think I need to run it back to the dealer, but does anyone have any insight?

[kevera]

There's a little switch on the door.It's probably loose or the connector isn't on all the way.

[JimmyO]

That's sort of what I would think... But why does it think it's closed when I get out of the car at night and lock it, but then when I get in in the morning without opening the hatch, all of the sudden it thinks the hatch is ajar?

[joatmon]

I had a random door ajar light at one point, I think it was really cold out, and the last time I had closed the hatch I did it gently. Seems like the hatch can "half-latch" and then while driving it can move enough to allow the door ajar light to come on. I was less gentle shutting it the next time, and no problem since. If you grab the handle on the outside of the hatch (and don't open it), is there any play, can you move the entire hatch in and out a little? Maybe you just need to slam it shut, as I had to, or perhaps there is something out of line that the dealer can fix under warranty. But make sure it is fully closed before you go in to the dealer or you will feel foolish

[lovemyraffe]

I know that if you accidentally push the hatch button on the remote the light will turn on. Even though the hatch is closed, if you push the button and don't actually open and then close the hatch, the light will stay on. I got kinda freaked when I did this, and my car wouldn't lock since the hatch was still open.

[JimmyO]

Thanks... It's definitely fully closed because I am able to lock the car in the first place. (Right? You can't lock the car if it thinks a door is open?) It's only after unlocking and getting in the driver door that it thinks the hatch is open. So freaking weird... I'll check out the hatch handle and see if there's any "play" to it. Anything else I can check out myself before bringing it to the dealer? I'm about to go to lunch now after the car's been sitting for 4 hours. Who wants to bet my phantom door is ajar?

[JimmyO]

Quote, originally posted by lovemyraffe »I know that if you accidentally push the hatch button on the remote the light will turn on. Even though the hatch is closed, if you push the button and don't actually open and then close the hatch, the light will stay on. I got kinda freaked when I did this, and my car wouldn't lock since the hatch was still open.Sorry, I should have clarified: It thinks the WHOLE hatch is open, not just the glass.

[lovemyraffe]

When you lock the car, do your lights flash saying it is locked? The doors will actually lock when you lock it, but if the lights don't flash there is a door open somewhere.

[lovemyraffe]

The light will turn on if the glass is open. It doesn't have to be the full hatch.

[DavidPIL]

Hi Jimmy,Although this probably has nothing to do with your situation but I distinctly remember when I was looking into Vibes back in 2003 I would notice several of the vehicles in the different dealerships I went to had the door ajar light on. This was after the dealership had closed. It was just odd to nitice this on more than one Vibe in different lots. Not sure if there was a sensitivity issue with the switches but I keep a close eye on mine and it hasn't happened to me yet.Dave

[engineertwin2]

Is it in the realm of possibility that the key fob gets bumped while in your pocket? Maybe opening it inadvertantly?

[JimmyO]

Yes, it is definitely in the realm of possibility that I'm a complete doofus and doing just that. I'm going to keep a careful eye on it now. Especially if the hatch glass being open puts the door ajar light on, though a.) I didn't think it did and b.) I'm pretty sure I checked the glass too when the mysterious light goes on.So, I'm going to be very careful not to bump the fob and the next time this happens, double check that it is the full hatch and that it's closed. I'll keep everyone updated. This forum is awesome, thanks for your help.

[JimmyO]

Quote, originally posted by DavidPIL »Hi Jimmy,Although this probably has nothing to do with your situation but I distinctly remember when I was looking into Vibes back in 2003 I would notice several of the vehicles in the different dealerships I went to had the door ajar light on. This was after the dealership had closed. It was just odd to nitice this on more than one Vibe in different lots. Not sure if there was a sensitivity issue with the switches but I keep a close eye on mine and it hasn't happened to me yet.DaveThanks, Dave. My wife has an 03 that has been flawless for 78k miles, so I'm certainly not going to jump on any stupid (removed) PONTIAK SUXX bandwagons. But who knows, maybe there's some little electronic gremlin that affects the occasional Vibe. Like I said, I'm going to be super careful and pay attention to every detail the next time it happens.