2002 Subaru Forester - door ajar light is always on even with all doors closed & ignition key off

First, check the following. I believe the 2001 Forester had a 3 position dome light switch. One position turned it on, one turned it off, and the third position enabled the light to come on when a door opened. Not all years had this type of switch. If yours does, check whether the light comes on for each and every door one at a time. If it fails for a particular door, you have narrowed the problem.

If this problem always existed for your Forester, possibly the assembly was not properly done. If it is a new event and the dome light switch is in the proper position, there may be a short in the wiring. You would have to test the wiring with a multimeter. Perhaps this service manual will assist: https://servicingmanuals.com/manual/2001-subaru-forester-wiring-diagram/

This can be a very difficult procedure and sometimes not possible on certain makes and models. It may be easier to gently pry the top of the door away from the vehicle and insert a small wedge to keep it ajar. Take apart a coat hanger and insert through door opening and with hook end grab door lock and open.

check all 4 doors for a broken pin switch, sounds like one is damaged.

The light and the beeping are two differant things. Headlight switch on? Or the switch were the key gos may think the key is still in the switch.

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Could be a faulty switch or a wiring problem. A dealer or authorized repair shop can answer the question about what is wrong and provide a cost estimate to repair it.

switches are in the latch and you will have to start by turning the ignition key to on and then open and close each door. when you get to the door that doesn't make a chime sound when opened or closed. that is the door with the latch problem. you will need to replace the switch for that latch

one of your door pins are stuck . they are mounted inside the doors , they are attached to the latch plates. the trick is which one is bad .most times its the drivers side but not always.
good luck chris

What happens when you remove both switches, and wires? What happens when you use a jumper wire acros both wires, on both doors?

The key switch usually breaks or wears out and makes contact. It is on the lock cylinder. This would cause the chime to not come on, or stay on. Sounds like the switch is bad.

1997 F-150/250 Warning Chime, Key-In-Ignition The key-in-ignition chime warns that the key is still in the ignition when the driver's door is ajar. The key-in-ignition warning chime will sound when:

• GEM: Driver door is ajar, the ignition switch is in the OFF/LOCK or ACC position and the keys are in the ignition.
• CTM: Driver door is ajar, the ignition switch is in the OFF/LOCK, ACC or RUN position and the keys are in the ignition.

The key-in-ignition warning chime will stop sounding when:

• Driver door is closed.
• Key is removed from the ignition.
• GEM: Ignition switch is switched to the RUN position.

The key-in-ignition warning chime inputs are:

• Ignition switch RUN position (battery potential on both RUN and RUN/ACC inputs).
• Ignition switch ACC position (battery potential on RUN/ACC input only).
• Key-in-ignition switch (grounded with key-in-ignition, open circuit with key-out).
• LH door ajar switch (open circuit with door closed, grounded with door ajar).

This is a pic for a 98, could not find one for 97 which may be the older style which is more prone to break.

Hi, my name is adam. By the way your descrpion says, you are having difficulty with the door ajar. My solution is to take a pink eraser and clean off the sensors on each door. Sometimes road dirt and grime get in there and screw it up. Thank you.