B737-800
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural MEL / CDL; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Release Refused / Aircraft Not Accepted
Aircraft
We refused aircraft for improper logbook documentation.The aircraft arrived in ZZZ with a write up that the aft; right service door light illuminated in cruise flight. I spoke to the inbound captain face to face who told me that the light illuminated twice in flight and per QRH procedure he directed the cabin crew to push the door handle down which extinguished the light.Maintenance applied MEL 52-XXX which is for the door warning light system. This MEL applies if the door warning light system is malfunctioning. It is my judgment that the warning system was functioning properly. This function was tested again in ZZZ. When the door handle was lifted the light illuminated; and with the door handle fully closed the light extinguished.  In other words; the malfunction was likely within the door itself and not the warning system.I discussed this with two B737 check airmen via telephone who agreed the MEL was inappropriate. I also spoke with a representative of the ZZZ chief pilot office and the duty pilot and told them I would gladly take another aircraft or accept the current aircraft if the door/sensor could be adjusted or if a different MEL or sign off could be applied to the logbook.The flight eventually cancelled.The cause of this event was the application of an MEL which did not address the actual maintenance issue.Perhaps this MEL could be written in a matter to include other malfunctions of the door system.
B737-800 Captain reported refusing an aircraft due to improper MEL application.