My liftgate ajar warning light comes on after car is started. however liftgate is latched. any ideas?

Try cleaning the contacts of the lock mechanism at the lift gate.

liftgate ajar switch , possibly . Without testing that would be just a guess . Do you know how to test automotive electrical circuit's ? Using a wiring diagram an a DVOM -digital volt ohm meter ? Looking at a factory service repair manual to find location of the ajar switch . Also checking for DTC- diagnostic trouble codes ,first !
B2703 Open/Close Switch Stuck Active Power Liftgate Module B2721 Gate Ajar Output Short to Ground or Open Power Liftgate Module REFER to Section 501-03 . B2722 Open/Close Switch Active During Self-Test Power Liftgate Module REFER to Section 501-03 .
B2718 Gate Ajar Output Short to Battery Power Liftgate Module REFER to Section 501-03 .

• The interior lights remain on and the instrument cluster message center indicates liftgate ajar

• Liftgate latch is not in primary position.

• Manually PULL on the liftgate. If liftgate moves, OPEN and CLOSE the liftgate to the primary latch position. Manually PULL on liftgate glass. If liftgate glass moves, OPEN and CLOSE the liftgate glass. If the liftgate ajar condition still exists, Go To Pinpoint Test B .

PINPOINT TEST B: THE POWER LIFTGATE DOES NOT OPERATE/DOES NOT OPERATE CORRECTLY Test Step Result / Action to Take B1 RETRIEVE THE DTCs FROM POWER LIFTGATE MODULE

• Use the recorded power liftgate module DTCs from the continuous and power liftgate module self-tests.
• Are any power liftgate module DTCs recorded?

Yes
If DTC B2552 or B2698, GO to B54 .

If DTC B2699 or B2701, GO to B40 .

If DTC B2700 or B2702, GO to B41 .

If DTC B2703 or 2722, GO to B4 .

If DTC B2704, B2705 or B2706, GO to B31 .

If DTC B2709, B2710, B2711, B2712, B2819, or B2820, GO to B23 .

If DTC B2713, GO to B19 .

If DTC B2714, B2715, B2821 or B2822, GO to B15 .

If DTC B2718 or B2721, GO to B46 .

If DTC B2723, GO to B50 .

If DTC B2724 or B2725, GO to B10 .

If DTC B2726, GO to B35 .

If DTC B2825, GO to Symptom Chart and verify symptom the power liftgate reverses during power close operation (mid-travel). If sent here from the symptom chart, GO to B23 .

If the liftgate unexpectedly reverses direction when ambient temperatures are greater than 32°C (90°F), GO to B23 .

No
GO to B2 .

Yes sounds like water has got into the switch take it off and give it a good spray of W.D-40.

Have someone stand at liftgate and press the switch in. If the warning goes off, then your switch just needs adjusting or the small flat block that acts like your partners finger is missing or misaligned. The door hinge pins should not be a problem unless there is damage to the area or a teenager was using the door as a tarzan swing. The BCM is a possibility (rare), but it is much more likely a contact problem behind the switch - ie. a loose connection, chaffed wire or short. Good luck.

THE ACTUATOR IS BROKEN FOR REAR DOOR AND THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT IS ONE OF THE BUTTONS LOCATED IN THE DOOR JAM MALFUNCTIONING

The liftgate consists of the following components:

• liftgate door lock actuator
• liftgate lock cylinder (if equipped)
• liftgate window glass
• liftgate window latch/ajar switch
• liftgate window glass release handle
• liftgate latch remote control which consists of the following component:
  • liftgate release handle
• liftgate latch, which consist of the following component:
  • liftgate latch door ajar switch

Liftgate Latch Actuator Removal and Installation

1. Remove the liftgate latch remote control. For additional information, refer to Liftgate Latch Remote Control in this section.

SECTION 501-14: Handles, Locks, Latches and Entry Systems 2001 Escape Workshop Manual
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION Liftgate Latch Removal and Installation

1. Remove the liftgate trim panel.

1. Disconnect the liftgate ajar switch electrical connector.

1. Disconnect the liftgate latch actuating rod.
   1. Open the clip.
   1. Disconnect the actuating rod.

1. Remove and discard the liftgate latch bolts.

1. Remove the liftgate latch.

1. NOTE: Make sure the liftgate latch release rod is not preloading the latch. It should be clipped in a relaxed state with no slack.
   NOTE: Position the liftgate latch release rod by pushing outboard to remove the slack.
   

1. Remove the screws and the liftgate latch actuator

There are 2 switchs one each for the left and right liftgate latch, u must detrim the liftgate to replace them, they stick and cause your problem, replace the courtesy light switches on both latches.

check the terminals in the back to make sure they are getting contact with each other you may need to just cean them

get in vehicle and make sure all doors are closed and liftgate and liftgate glass are closed turn on ignition and see if warning of door ajar is on .if so then one of the door ajar switchs are stuck. purchase a can of PB BLASTER available at your local auto parts store and lube all latch assembleys on vehicle then open and close all doors 10 to 15 times this will usually free up the stuck switch. note spray the latch assembleys really good so it will reach the switch which is hidden in the latch.

the problem is the lift-gate ajar/courtesy light switch that is located on the left and right latch assemble of the lift gate, they stick and cause this concern, there are numerous technical service bulletins from Ford about this, have replaced at least 100. PS, washing the engine had nothing to do with it, u can try using spray lube on the latch's and open and close the gate repeatably to see if the switch un-sticks.