Chrysler Repair: 1996 Chrysler T&C Pass Side rear door lock noise, haynes manual, snail mail

Question
Mr Finston,

The lock in the passengers side rear door is making a hideous noise whenever the doors are locked. We have power locks. This noise sounds like a grinding and lasts for approximately 03 seconds. It occurs when the vehicle "auto-locks" while driving or when we manually press the door lock button or when we use the key to lock the vehicle from the exterior. Any help you could offer would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You in advance
SSgt Jeffrey Schmidt and Family
USMC

Answer
Hi Sargeant Schmidt,
I have the Haynes manual for the Vans for '96-99. As I read it, each door has a door lock motor that is electrically actuated. It sounds like the motor in that door has a mechanical or electrical problem and probably would be remediated by replacing the motor. You could remove another door's motor and exchange it to see if the problem "follows" the motor or it causes the problem to remain with the right rear door in which case the door lock switch, which is also electrical, is probably the issue or the wiring to the door may have an intermittant connection, but it really does sound like an electro-mechanical issue which points to the door lock motor in that door. I can xerox and snail mail you a couple of pages that shows how to remove the panel from the sliding door and the internal appearance of the door lock motor in the door. It looks like a pretty easy do-it-yourself job. You could either get a replacement motor at a dealership or a used one at a wrecking yard. So let me know a mailing address if you would like the pages.
Roland