2004 Tahoe Driver Door Module Troubles

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

FunkedOut

TYF Newbie
Joined
Oct 30, 2024
Posts
2
Reaction score
2
My driver door module (DDM) was acting up for years; heated seats cycling on its own, window switches were intermittent and the power mirror selector quit altogether.
I replaced the DDM about 3 months ago with a Dorman brand unit. Worked like a charm.
Until last week...

A 6 month old Optima Red battery went dead. I could not recharge it with a tender over night. Got it replaced under warranty. They said the battery was totally drained.
When I put the new battery in the truck, all was well, but I noticed that the driver door light would never turn off.
Dome light would turn off, everything about the door being open/closed worked like it should, except for the light on the door.

I replaced the Dorman DDM with a new Dorman DDM. Worked like a charm.
For 3 days. Now the light is on again.

What's the story here?
Anyone got any tips or tricks for me to try?

Thanks in advance.
 

Big Mama

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 21, 2015
Posts
3,369
Reaction score
2,036
Location
Virginia
Have a look under the driver door sill and the bottom of the B pillar. I had similar problems, though not the light staying on, and found frayed wires.
 
OP
OP
F

FunkedOut

TYF Newbie
Joined
Oct 30, 2024
Posts
2
Reaction score
2
Thank you for that suggestion @Big Mama.
I did not find any frayed wires anywhere.

I think I have the problem resolved, but time will tell.
Writing it here in case anyone finds this in the future.

I got a hold of Dorman tech support and was underwhelmed with their knowledge of their own products.
The recommended 3 part numbers for the door module after I gave them my VIN; same results I got from their website.
After telling them I tried 2 of those 3 part numbers, they recommended to try the 3rd.
I did and that fixed the problem.

The part number that is working now, is a refurbished OEM part.
Both of their new parts, work well enough, but after some time, would leave the door light on.
 

Big Mama

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 21, 2015
Posts
3,369
Reaction score
2,036
Location
Virginia
It’s really amazing how many parts are either bad out of the box or fail quickly. Good job doing your due diligence. Hopefully Dorman will refund you for the bad ones.

Many places don’t have people that actually know their products well.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
132,234
Posts
1,864,454
Members
96,781
Latest member
Ykn11Cg
Top