Auto Electronics: grand caravan door problem, sliding door system, body control module

Question
I Have a 2002 dodge G caravan, 3.3 liter v6. To open The pass. side power door, it only works from the switch on the overhead console, not the one by the door. Oddly You can close it using the button by the door, but not open it.. Thanks for your help.

Answer
John, The sliding door system on your vehicle is integrated into the computer network, making it very difficult to diagnose without the factory scan tool. The system has both left and right door control modules, an overhead console module and a body control module. With the door switches integrated into their respective modules, they communicate with each other by send serial data through the PCI network. Therefore the only effective way to diagnose the system is with a tool that is made to communicate with the individual modules and the network. A generic scan tool will not do the job, only a Chrysler DRB3 scan will do! Auto manufactures have chosen computer network configurations to control almost everything on their vehicles, saving on wiring costs and making most functions more reliable. The trend will only accelerate in the future, making it imperative that repairs by attempted only by properly trained and equipped technicians. Make sure the shop you take it to has both. Hope this helps. Don.