"door Open"

[Fëanor]

I own an e34 1991 535i. Whenever the car is moving, the check control display says, "DOOR OPEN". This wouldn't be a problem, if it weren't accompanied by an intensely annoying gong at certain times: always when pulling out in first gear, and many times just at random when driving. It seems to gong more often on a bumpy road.

I'm assuming it's a faulty sensor or switch in one of the doors, but beyond that, I'm at a loss.... The only thing obviously abnormal in that area I can think of is that the driver's door doesn't stay open by itself. I don't think that has anything to do with it though...

Any advice is very much appreciated.

[da_bull]

If the car has high mileage, I have seen them rust out around the doors' pinswitch, and you saying the door doesnt hold itself open is another sign of that happening. Check where the little rod that is supposed to hold the door open. Check for what looks like ripped metal. I'll bet that is where the water is coming in, rusting where the pinswitch is mounted, and having that come loose, possibly grounding when you hit a bump. May be another problem but I've seen where people let the door swing open hard (via wind or just letting go) and rip the mount for the door stop out of the jamb.

[bad man working]

The switch for this is built in the door striker This is the part the door catch locks on to on the pillars, You can check these by watching the interior lights as they operate both. The gong is normally mounted on the kick panel above the pedals if you want disconnect it.

[Fëanor]

Originally posted by bad man working@Feb 24 2005, 01:48 PM
The switch for this is built in the door striker This is the part the door catch locks on to on the pillars, You can check these by watching the interior lights as they operate both. The gong is normally mounted on the kick panel above the pedals if you want disconnect it.

[snapback]298503[/snapback]

Thank you!

I discovered the switch snooping around the door earlier today, but nowhere could I find information on where the gong is mounted. Apparently the door isn't pushing the switch in far enough when closed, because when I held it down with my finger while driving, the "Door Open" went away, and came back with a gong when I let my finger off. I'm going to attempt a half-arsed slapstick repair to hold the switch down, but if it fails, I can disconnect the gong.

Sincere thanks to both of you guys for your help!