Sliding Door Won't Open

[jskrepnek]

Hi,

Our sliding door has been getting stuck shut lately, which is making it really interesting getting the two kids in and out of the van.

The door is getting stuck after being locked through the power-lock on the drivers door. So, I lock it when I arrive at work, and when I come out to go home the sliding door is stuck locked.

It won't open from the inside at all (child lock is off).

After a long drive with the heat on, it seems like the door un-sticks and will open. This has led us to believe the problem is related to cold weather.

We saw the other post about this, but none of the solutions there worked.

Any suggestions before we pay someone handsomely to pull the door apart?

Thanks,

-- Joel

[TardisDeli]

Hi Joel,

Sounds like the locking mechanism is gummed up (since you can't open it manually or electrically), all the levers and bars that move the door catch system.

It seems inevitable that you'll have to open up the door panel and clean it all up, and spray with silicone (not graphite as that is for the inside of the actual lock where the key goes in). We salute your bravery.

Good Luck, or should that be Good Lock.

Jay

[fexlboi]

Hi,

Our sliding door has been getting stuck shut lately, which is making it really interesting getting the two kids in and out of the van.

The door is getting stuck after being locked through the power-lock on the drivers door. So, I lock it when I arrive at work, and when I come out to go home the sliding door is stuck locked.

It won't open from the inside at all (child lock is off).

After a long drive with the heat on, it seems like the door un-sticks and will open. This has led us to believe the problem is related to cold weather.

We saw the other post about this, but none of the solutions there worked.

Any suggestions before we pay someone handsomely to pull the door apart?

Thanks,

-- Joel

Had the same problem. As Jay already said, remove the door panel and use silicone spray on all moving parts. Now it works perfect again....

[Golf Cart]

Mine is doing the same.

It will unlock with the key from the outside

[freestyler]

Same same. Dirty mind aside, I have to reach around and then push the lock down again... jiggle the open button on the outside of the door and then pull the lock up from the inside. It's definitely not due to the cold weather, but it does get alot worse in it. If anyone has (or is going to) take the door apart, post pictures... it'll save the collective "us" (or at least me ) a headache.

Freestyler

[jfpdelica]

I've noticed the same thing on all locks. The problem appeared to be that someone had put a load of grease into all of the locks. Removed the panels and ( like Jay said) spayed with silicone, and used liquid graphite where applicable.

Cheers Jeff

[JMK]

Edit: Oops, sorry, just noticed in post above that this was already discounted. Oh well, I'll leave the pic here anyway for those that come along alter and may not know where to locate it.

This may be the problem, after getting locked in while camping a few times finally noticed that this was the cause:

[jskrepnek]

Thanks for the thoughts. Sent Silicone into the 'lock hole' and things are back to 'normal', whatever that means.

-- Joel