Hi all:

I recently bought a used 97 Grand Caravan LE (Dark Green) with the 3.3 Litre engine and 4spd transmission

The lift gate was from a purple town and country that i replaced with another dark green grand caravan

The problem I am having with (both liftgates) is the locking/latching/opening mechanism.

on either door i dont see the door handle actually connected to anything.
I only have a key to the new green door.

what are all the was the door can open?
01 is there a back door release somewhere like in glove box?
02 can only the key open the door?
03 can only the handle open the door?
04 is my remote supposed to open the door?

i only see ONE rod going from an actuator to the door lock device.
i think that solenoid is for locking and unlocking but is it also supposed to OPEN the door?

this is weird its like my door handle is a dummy handle that dont actually do anything and that maybe the key is supposed to unlock/lock and OPEN the door??

thanks
i am very confused.

 

1) Rear tailgate was opening off & on by playing with the electric unlock button. Now won't unlk at all! I hear the actuator trying to unlock it, but wont. Solenoid moves little
2) Via these threads, I've gotten rear gate OPEN & panel off, exposing the locking device & links, not sure what to do from here.
3) The handle is free moving, not attached to anything.

Any ideas from anybody what to do to repair or replace???