Back door problem: Will not open.

schoolbuszak · Post by **schoolbuszak** » Mon Jul 25, 2011 8:52 pm

I have been lurking for some time, and finally bought a delica last week, however I can't for the life of me get the back door open. I have disassembled as much as I can back there, and still no success.

The plastic piece that connects the door handle(?) to the rod that goes down to the mechanism that holds the door shut is broken and was being held together by cable ties, but that is obviously not the problem as I am still unable to open the door with everything taken apart.

I shot some air right down there with a nozzle on my air compressor in case something was lodged but that made no difference. I haven't tried WD40 yet as I need a new can.

The door does move a tiny little bit open, but only to the point that it rattles a bit. I found an earlier post that seemed to have a similar issue, but their success has not meant mine.

Sorry for being such a noob,
Zak

Post by **thelazygreenfox** » Wed Jul 27, 2011 10:23 am

Zak
Keep trying, there's something in the mechanism that is preventing the door opening. I had a bitc.. of a time when a 1/16 nut fell in the L300 mechanism, but something even smaller could block opening of the liftgate. Try a car antennea or something fine to get in there. It's impossible to access from the outside. Even with the door open.

good luck
Wayne
TLGF

schoolbuszak · Post by **schoolbuszak** » Wed Jul 27, 2011 12:16 pm

Alright, so yesterday I was driving and all of a sudden the back door popped right open. I closed it again, and for a short time was able to open it by pushing to one side and out at the same time. I took some WD40 to it assuming it was a friction problem, but now the door will not close. The tooth that hooks to hold the door shut will not stay in the closed position. I have figured out how to disassemble the mechanism (remove three screws and the rod that goes up to the locking mechanism) so this evening I will take it all apart and see if a spring is missing or something.

Super Exceeded · Post by **Super Exceeded** » Thu Jul 28, 2011 8:10 am

Try moving the latch loop on the van itself. I have the same problems, mine is caused by a nut that has broken on the door hinge. This has made the door not swing totally square. This would be the second place I would look. See if all the door hinge bolts are in place and if the door is square.

A

Post by **FalcoColumbarius** » Thu Jul 28, 2011 9:00 am

Have you considered the guides on the outside edges of the tailgate? They help to keep the gate lined up with the frame and thereby the locking mechanism. It strikes me that you have tried to open the gate, which has activated the mechanism ~ then when driving on the road perhaps the vehicle frame shifted and the gate became free, allowing the gate to open. I would check the gate guides. They are the rubber thingies on the inside edges of the gate that slip into metal receivers mounted on the jambs of the gate frame.

Falco.

schoolbuszak · Post by **schoolbuszak** » Thu Jul 28, 2011 1:14 pm

So last night I took the latching mechanism apart, the problem must have been that there was too much gunk and debris in the latching mechanism, which caused too much friction for the tooth that hooks into the latch loop to operate properly. It all works fine now.

I am going to check the gate guides anyways when I get home, they could still be contributing to the problem as I noticed some abnormal wear on a part of the locking mechanism.

Getting the whole thing apart was a bit of a bitch, but I took some pictures. I will post pictures and instructions when I get a chance, either later this afternoon or tomorrow.

snelson · Post by **snelson** » Thu Jul 28, 2011 1:44 pm

Nice - that would be great. Mine still sticks once in a while when closing it - kinda half catches....
Glad you got it sorted.
Steve

Post by **FalcoColumbarius** » Thu Jul 28, 2011 10:33 pm

I'll be looking forward to the photo essay ~ I haven't actually gotten into my tailgate yet. Cheers Zak!

Falco.

schoolbuszak · Post by **schoolbuszak** » Mon Aug 08, 2011 11:32 am

Alright, so I've been real busy at work and my home computer was having some problems, so I am finally posting my pictures and instructions for taking apart the door latch. The door latch is attached to the vehicle in several places, all of which will need removing.

1. Three machine screws on the bottom (obvious).
2. Plastic rod clips: There are two rods coming up from the latch. The longer one locks the door and the shorter one opens it. Mark the location of the plastic clips on the rod with tape or a marker and use a small screwdriver to unclip them.
3. Knob at the top. Remove the cover for the brake light in the back window, inside is one of those 'door lock knobs' unscrew it with your fingers.
4. Wiring: two wires go down to the door latch, they should come off easily. It you wait to do this step until all else is off it will be much easier.

If you can get it all the way out, I'm assuming you'll be able to put it back. Good luck and let me know if you have any questions or I don't make sense.