Interior lights and running board lights stay on - 1999 Ford Explorer

[donata]

I have a 1999 4-door Explorer (V6). Two weeks ago, my interior lights would not shut off while I was driving. Even after I removed the key from the ignition...the lights still stayed on. Also, my running board lights stay on. I have been disconnecting the negative terminal on the battery when the car is not in use otherwise the battery will go dead. Does anyone know what may be causing this?

[redneckf150]

Sounds like the switch in the door-jam is malfunctioned. I've read something about that here on the forum, but I don't remember exactly where. I believe you need to slide the rubber boot back, then clean it with WD-40 or equivalent. It is getting stuck, and needs to be freed up mechanically. Try that and see if it helps. It is probably the one in the driver's door (most used), but not necessarily.

[donata]

Thanks for answering back. I'm not sure about sliding a rubber boot back. Where would that be? I have tried spraying WD-40 into the latches with no luck yet.

[redneckf150]

There may not be a rubber boot on your particular model; some do, some don't. What we're looking for is the electrical switch that disengages the lights when the door is shut. If the WD-40 doesn't work, you may have to actually remove the switch and see if there is anything obviously wrong with it.