Sliding Door won't Open

philmeup1 · Post by **philmeup1** » Sun Dec 17, 2017 1:32 pm

Hey there folks,

Anyone have any experience with the sliding door not opening? I have a '93 Super Exceed that's currently having this problem. At first I thought it just might be frozen shut, but after prying at it a little, it seems to be releasing from the rear of the door but not the front. I'm guessing I'll have to crawl inside the van, pull the door skin off and adjust or purchase new cables or something?

It sure is a pain not being able to access this door. Any advice/help/photos with this is appreciated.

Happy Holidays, Phil

Lapprentis · Post by **Lapprentis** » Sun Dec 17, 2017 5:32 pm

I have experience that recently: after car wash (to get rid of salt as much as I can) and well below freezing (-20C) the day after....I assume it is normal so I will not force it anymore in these conditions AND will not wash that area before next spring....

Lapprentis

philmeup1 · Post by **philmeup1** » Sun Dec 17, 2017 7:25 pm

Unfortunately I think it's a little more than that Lapprentis. I think it's the mechanics inside tho door. Somethings not functioning properly, or a cable is stretched or broken.

But I do agree with you on washing the van in the winter time. I keep my van pretty clean in the summer months, but she gets pretty filthy during the winter time. Someone once suggested spraying Pam Cooking spray in the door jams. That might help keeping the doors from sticking....

north54 · Post by **north54** » Sun Dec 17, 2017 8:19 pm

Happens every winter for me! The magnetic door lock contacts get a bit of corrosion on them and won't function as it should.

What worked for me to get it to open was toggle the lock up and down from the drivers side key hole a few times. If that doesn't work then yes you will have to pull off the door skin and give it a bit of help. Make sure you spray some lubricant on the lock parts when you're in there. I use white lithium grease. The door mechanism and lock innards will probably be very greasy/dusty.

Once you do get the sliding door open lightly sand the 2 magnetic lock contact points. Good luck.

philmeup1 · Post by **philmeup1** » Sun Dec 17, 2017 9:35 pm

Thanks north54, I'm all about trying something simple at first. Plus I'm mechanically declined so this is def a good place to start.

Cheers, Phil

Post by **Growlerbearnz** » Sun Dec 17, 2017 9:41 pm

All vans have the sliding door latch at the back, but some have a second latch at the front of the door as well. My van has only the rear latch and sometimes it sticks, but if I pull the rear of the door out (a finger in the sliding track will do) it will then begin to slide.

If it really is stuck at the front I'd check the rollers- one of them may have come loose and may be catching on something. There's not much else at the front of the door that can stop it from opening- except the second latch, if you have one.

Oh and ice. We don't have that here (except in cocktails), so I can't help with that one.

philmeup1 · Post by **philmeup1** » Thu Dec 21, 2017 4:29 pm

Well it's a Festivus miracle!! It was just stuck from being frozen. The other day, once it warmed up outside a little, it started working again!! Growlerbearnz, I need to move to a place where the only ice to be found is in the festive cocktails!!

Thanks everyone for offering up your knowledge, suggestions and personal experiences.

A tip of the old rum 'n eggnog (with ice) to all of you:)