I got this "Passenger Rear Door A'Jar" message on my dashboard. It seems that when this message is on, the alarm will be on and all the doors will unlock by itself.

The dealer has run an very expensive check and told me that it is due to the microlatch fault. They quoted $800+ in total for parts and labor. The dealer said if I do not replace the microlatch, the alarm will go off and drain the battery. I did not let them replace the latch right away as they do not have the parts, and I want to check if the quote is reasonable.

Though the message comes on once a while for the past years, my battery is okay and never drained.
The odd thing is....after they checked my car few days ago and claimed that the microlatch was at fault. The second day, I took my car back, the battery drained.

Can anyone here help me out?
Is there a way to fix the microlatch myself?
Is there a cheaper way to avoid the alarm goes off and drain the battery?
Is what the dealer said valid?
Should I bring my car to a different dealer location?

Thank yoU!

 

$800 sounds a lot but maybe a lot of time is needed. Why not just buy the part and DIY? You'll need to know exactly where the part is located, something you don't sound to have asked. If the part is expensive, get one from a wreck.

 

One trick that use in the lincoln world since Mark VIII have 2 microlatch/switches is spray WD-40 in the claw and in the hinge "strap" that relubricates the microswitches buying you more time.

 

Good advice BUT change that to white Lithium grease. It's available in spray cans. Do all the latches and work them several times. As said above this problem is common on the Lincoln LS and the cure is lubrication.
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Thank you all for your responses. Where can I get the white lithium grease? Also, is there a picture where latches are located?

I know nothing about cars...but after brought my car in to the dealer 5 times last month...I feel there is a need I know something about my car...they just keep telling me to change this and that..and not spotting that they have given me a lemon new battery until the 4th time the lemon drained completely....

They finally got me another new battery. But then this error message is on. They said now if the battery drains, it is my responsibility to have the microlatch changed.

Thanks All!

 

Any parts store will have the spray Lithium grease. Ask if you can't find it. Just spray the door, hood and trunk latches. The micro switches are integrated with the mechanical latch.
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Thank you tbird6. I will give it a shot.

Yesterday I went to Autozone..the staff there referred me to the auto repairs next door...people there said maybe they could try to disengage/disconnect the electrical to the passenger rear door as a temp cure.

Anyone think it is okay to do so?

 

No (you'll just get more trouble). Follow the advice given and if it doesn't work come back with more details.

 

Thank you for your response. You meant try to have the micro switch replaced by the dealer? Or spray the white lithium? Thank you!

 

I have called the dealer several times and left message. They never returned my calls. I start to be suspcious why they are not responding!

I am thinking I need to just stop there to surprise them and get the answers I needed. Very frustrated. The nightmares started last month, ever since they installed a new battery, running back there for 6 times in one month!