I have a Venture van with a stuck passenger side sliding door. Its stuck closed but the power lock works, the door handles seem to work but the door will not unlatch, it is a manual door not a power sliding one. I have the inside panel off but I can't see where to release the latch. Anyone know? Thanks
We had a 94 Transport. It seems that mine did that once and I had to push (bump it with my shoulder) outwards real hard from the inside while I had the door handle in the open position.
[This message has been edited by carnut122 (edited 06-15-2014).]
Mine was the plastic bodied Transport, so I'm guessing yours is different. But, I had both front doors on mine have issues where I had to pull their panels and insert a longer bolt and there was also some JB Weld involved. Not sure if that has anything to do with yours. So, neither the inside handle or outside handle is functional? Or, is it the door doesn't unlock? Do you see/hear the solenoid moving when you hit the unlock button? I would assume that if it's a solenoid problem, you'd be able to grab the rod with needle nose and give it a tug. Likewise, if it's a handle issue (not like as you apparently tried both of them), you should be able to manually activate it from inside the door. Can you post pictures of the mechanisms inside of the door?
[This message has been edited by carnut122 (edited 06-17-2014).]
Try a spray can of STP or spray Lubracant, the type with the skinney straw. Maybe you can spray it between the door or if the window retracts, put the straw between the window rubber and glass,then spray twards the latching mechanism. Then try bumping the door again.
I have the inside door panel off, this is the passenger side sliding door so there's no window to put down. Its not a power door, Both the inside handle and the outside handle are connected and are moving the rod/latch mechanism. I even trying prying the door out while working the handle and still it wouldn't budge. I guess the piece that hooks over the striker latch is stuck. I wonder if there is something on the backside of the latch I could press to release it. The mechanism seems to be moving when I work the door handle.
Your probubley not going to like my next sugestion....Quite often metal from the door is covering the area you need to look at. You might have to butcher the door with a angel grinder and cut off wheel, only other option, I can think of, would be to take it to the dealer.
All this time I have been focusing on the latch and today when trying to get the door open I realized that there is another latch at the rear of the door, I think that is the one that is stuck. I haven't been able to free it yet and I don't think there is any way to get to the striker from the back side of it. I am going to try and pop it up by sticking a flat blade under it
Update: I ended up taking the van to a local body shop. They were able to get it open without taking off the door and determine that the rear latch was not working. A new latch from the dealer was $185. I was able to find a used one on ebay for $56. They installed it for me at a cost of $50 and its working fine now.
