Hi,
I have 98 3.2 TL with around 92k miles. I bought it a year ago with 82K miles
and have been enjoying driving it a lot except for one problem.
The driver side door does'nt close fully on some occasions (the LED on the dashboard also indicates the driver side is not closed). I don't think its a LED problem as the door is really not closed. The problem doesn't happen always, just randomly but with sufficient frequency to be annoying.
I have taken it to a couple of shops but the door closed properly when at the shop and they could'nt find what the source of the problem.
The car had a clean Carfax when I bought it and it has been accident free since (both the shops I went to asked me this).
I have a couple of workarounds for the problem right now when it happens. If I am closing the door from inside, I roll the driver side window down a little and the door closes properly. If I am closing the door from outside, I open the driver side rear door. Then the driver side door closes ok after which I close the driver side rear door.
Sounds wierd but it seems to work right now.
Anyone have any idea what the problem might be and how much it would take to
fix it?

thanks

 

This is an odd one. You confused me with your explanation but even if i did understand it, i have no explantion for you.. sorry.

 

check door sensor? is the door wobbleing? is the lock on the car is off course? orcheck the door lock on the side. broken?

 

It may have been in an accident before...even though carfax didn't report it. My car title is clean with no accidents....but if you really inspect the car, there will be signs that it has been. Check for paint differences, blending and stuff. I can guarantee that my rear quarter panel has been in an accident before. The person who did a paint job did a crappy job and the paint is starting to peal around the rear window. The bumper paint isn't as smooth as the body paint.

I have not fix for your problem though. Take it to a body shop and have them take it apart and put it back. Hinges may be bent.

 

The ability to close the door w/ window down or another door open suggests that air compression + slightly misaligned lock or other problem may be preventing the door closing. I've seen pickups that were so tight you couldn't shut the door unless a window was down.

Also the door panel or adjacent interior panel may be preventing the door from fully closing. Check fit of the door panel and adjacent interior panels to make sure they are not contacting.

good luck

 

Silly thing, but have you looked at the latch (the part in the door) and see if it is dry? Maybe just needs lubed. You can also look at the striker (the part on the body of the car that looks like a "U" that the latch hooks on to) and see if is bent or has any odd wear marks (deep scoring that could show if it and the latch aren't lined up just right). Don't know if that helps but GL.