1997 Ford Explorer Exterior lighting Problems

“I own a Ford Explorer xlt 1997 and the rear passenger door on the drivers side only opens from the inside while the other rear passenger door will not open from the inside or out (child lock not activated). The drivers door doesn't lock and when it does lock, it doesn't unlock or sticks so bad it has be unlocked with pliers, causing the driver to have to get in and out of the car through the front passenger side door. …”

“The 1997 Ford Explorer 4d eddie bauer edition has a computer controlled message center. The message center controls among other things the vehicle headlights and fog lamps. The light out module (lom) also known as the indicator warning system control is located inside the message center console and runs hot in temperature because of a flawed design. The current design leads to internal electrical system failures that result in a loss of the low beam headlights. …”

“The headlights went out while I was passing another vehicle on an icy road at night between driggs, idaho and victor, idaho. I clicked the dimmer when they went out, and tried to put the dimmer lever into any other position and the lights would not come on. I held the dimmer switch up against the steering wheel in the bright flasher position and they came on, but blinding oncoming traffic so that they flashed their lights at me. I drove this way to my home about seven more miles. This is very dangerous! …”

“Several problems with this auto, it seems to be falling apart. The driver side seat belt no longer latches. We have to loop the driver side through the passenger side. It appears this is an issue with several of these models. This is a serious safety hazard and seat belts are mandatory by law. Is there anything being done? The left turn indicator has had electrical issues for years. It makes a zzzz sound and no longer works. I am also down to only one door that the key works on. That is the back lift. The door key had not worked on the driver side for years, then the passenger side went. …”

“On the first occasion, the headlights would go out when the turn signal was turned on. The vehicle was out of warranty(over 36,000 miles) so we had our regular mechanic repair, but we asked to keep the replaced part. The most recent problem (only 11/2 years& approx 8000 miles later)was that the windshield wipers would not work. This time we took it to a Ford dealer. The service manager mentioned that there had been a problem with this part and that Ford had made an upgrade, but no recall had been enacted. Again we asked to keep the replaced part (both are Ford parts#13k359). …”