Chrysler Repair: passenger sliding door wont unlock, dodge grand caravan, 2005 dodge grand caravan

Question
I have a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan and the passenger manual sliding door won't unlock either manually or with the remote.  What can I do to fix this?  Also, if I have to remove the door panel on that door can I do it while the door is closed as I am unable to unlock the door to open it?

Answer
Hi Mitch,
Last month another owner of the same year Caravan wrote me about the same problem. Here is our exchange. I would suggest that you contact him to see how he worked out this problem.
Roland

"QUESTION: Roland,

Here is your reply to my original question. My email address is ekiewra1@twcny.rr.com.

Ed

Hi Ed,
You will want to remove the latch/lock assembly to see what is wrong. To do that you have to remove the 'stop bumper' which is at the upper front corner of the door interior. The easiet way to get you all the details is for me to copy the pages from a CD of the manual and attach them to an email that I send directly to you, not via Allexperts.  So I need to know your email address which I don't ever see here at Allexperts. You have to tell me it directly in a question you ask me. To do that you will need to ask a NEW question and in the question space tell me that email address. Then check the box to 'keep question private' or the address will be erased and I won't get it. Follow these instructions exactly and it will work.
Roland

ANSWER: Ok, I will copy and send after dinner.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Roland,

The pages that you sent are very helpful, but it looks from the drawings that
the bolts attaching the latch/lock assembly to the door are only accessible when
the door is in the open position. I will confirm this by looking at the driver's
side door. If so, then I seem to facing a situation of not being able to fix the
problem because of the problem. I'll see if disconnecting everything else will
allow me to unlock and open the door. At this point, I don't much care if I can
lock it or not - just want to be able to open and close it.

If you have any further suggestions, I'd be glad to give them a try.

Thanks, again.

Ed



Answer:

Hi Ed,
I haven't had personal experience with the minivan door so I wasn't aware if the door had to be open to remove the stop bumper. That appears to be the way to get at the latch mechanism. Maybe there is another way to get it to release using the internal cabling to the latch mechanism. I am sorry to not give you any further ideas.



I have an 05 Grand Caravan with manual sliding side doors and an after-market installed keyless entry/remote starter. The lock on the passenger side sliding door will not unlock, either manually, by using the key fob, or with the electronic lock buttons on the front doors. I have removed the interior panel and inspected the linkage from the lock button to the locking mechanism. There does not appear to be anything restricting its movement. The cables from the outside door handle to the locking mechanism and the inside button that is used to open the door move freely, but the door will not open. I have disconnected the wires to the locking mechanism, with the same result. The locking mechanism is mounted behind the inside metal panel of the door, with not much of it being easily visible or accessible, so much of my inspection has been done by feel. All of the other door locks work fine. Any suggestions? Thanks.



Answer:

Hi Ed,
You will want to remove the latch/lock assembly to see what is wrong. To do that you have to remove the 'stop bumper' which is at the upper front corner of the door interior. The easiet way to get you all the details is for me to copy the pages from a CD of the manual and attach them to an email that I send directly to you, not via Allexperts.  So I need to know your email address which I don't ever see here at Allexperts. You have to tell me it directly in a question you ask me. To do that you will need to ask a NEW question and in the question space tell me that email address. Then check the box to 'keep question private' or the address will be erased and I won't get it. Follow these instructions exactly and it will work.
Roland"


Roland