OK, so I've searched and read through a bunch of threads, but I don't seem to have any definitive answers.

Last week the driver's side power sliding rear door stopped working. It is completely dead and will not open at all, either electrically (using the key FOB and all switches at the door and on the overhead console) or manually. It is completely locked shut.

I took the door panel off, and switched out the power control module for the one on the passenger side that works and that did not help. The PCM is good as it worked on the passenger side. I can't check for broken wires in the door track as I can't get the door to open at all.

Is it the door lock actuator? And if so, how do I get it out and replace it? I removed all the bolts holding the plastic panel into the metal door frame, but it does not seem to want to come out easily.

 

The right and/or left power sliding door wiring harnesses may chafe on the sliding door hinge when operating the sliding door. You need to remove the cover on the B-pillar and inspect. Also see if you have power and ground at the module. Because the problem could be the actuator. And not the module.

 

I ruled out the module already by flipping them in the doors. The module from the dead door works fine in the operating door.

Also, is there any way to open the door manually? It won't open at all, even when manually moving the lock switch and door handles. I want to say this is a lock actuator issue for that reason.

 

Sorry to hear that the sliding door is inoperable. Is your vehicle still under factory warranty? The dealer will have the appropriate diagnostic scan tools to further diagnose what is causing the issue with the sliding door.

 

This vehicle has 75K miles on it, so it is out of everything but the powertrain 100K warranty.

I just had it at the dealership for an O2 sensor (and the door stopped working 2 days later). I don't want to have to take it back in again for another expensive repair.

There must be some way to get the door open manually. I need to know how to do that.

 

Something else I should add about this. Not long after we bought the van, I complained to the dealer about the door panel rubbing the fender when the door was opened. Their solution was to shim the door instead of adding another attach point on the panel itself to keep it from bowing out. It was on the driver side door only, which is the one that is stuck shut. I wonder if shimming it caused a wire rub and eventual break?

 

Is there any way I can open the door manually?

 

Here is a TSB, I hope this may help. And yes you can open the door. But you may have a problem closing the door.


THIS BULLETIN SUPERSEDES SERVICE BULLETIN 23-012-12 REV. A, DATED
October 04, 2012, WHICH SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM YOUR FILES. ALL
REVISIONS ARE HIGHLIGHTED WITH **ASTERISKS** AND INCLUDE EXTENSION
OF AFFECTED VEHICLE APPLICABILITY DATE PLUS ALTERNATIVE REPAIR
PROCESS STEPS DEPENDENT ON VEHICLE BUILD DATE.
SUBJECT:
Sliding Door Trim Contacting Vehicle Rear Quarter
OVERVIEW:
**This bulletin depending on production date, involves either installing or engaging an
additional door panel retention point to prevent the door panel from bowing and contacting
the body when the sliding door is opened.**
MODELS:
2008 - **2014** (RT) Dodge Caravan
2008 - **2014** (RT) Chrysler Town and Country
NOTE: **This bulletin applies to vehicles built on or before May 14, 2014 (MDH
0514XX).**
SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
The customer may experience a door trim panel contacting the quarter panel on either side
when opening either of the sliding doors.
PARTS REQUIRED:
Qty. Part No. Description
2(AR) 68163978AA RT Sliding Door Repair Kit (One Kit Services
One Door)
SPECIAL TOOLS/EQUIPMENT REQUIRED:
NPN Isopropyl Alcohol
NPN 3M 4298 Adhesion Promoter or Equivalent
NPN Kent P20165 Leak Trace Powder or Equivalent
One 12oz can will service approximately 12 vehicles
NUMBER: 23-014-14
GROUP: Body
DATE: June 12, 2014
DIAGNOSIS:
In some instances interior door panel to quarter panel contact has been noted on both left
and right sides of the vehicle. Design clearances of the interior door panel are aggravated
by heat which causes the door panel to relax and bow, which may contact the rear quarter
panel (Fig. 1).
**In order to correct this condition and avoid costly paint repairs, depending on production
date, an additional retention point needs to be either added or engaged to prevent the door
panel bowing condition. If the customer describes the symptom, perform the Repair
Procedure.**
Fig. 1 Door Trim Contact
1 - Sliding Door
2 - Interior Door Trim Panel
3 - Quarter Panel Contact Point
4 - Panel Clearance Area
23-014-14 -2-
REPAIR PROCEDURE:
1. **Was the vehicle built on or before February 11, 2012 (MDH 0211XX)?
a. YES>>> Vehicle was built on or before February 11, 2012. Continue with Step #2.
b. NO>>> Vehicle was built on or after February 12, 2012 and on or before May 14,
2014. Proceed to Step #12.**
2. Remove both door trim panels. Refer to the detailed procedures available in
DealerConnect>TechCONNECT> under: Service Info> 23-Body> Doors - Sliding>
PANEL, Door Trim> Removal.
3. Remove the standoff from the back side of each door panel (Fig. 2).
Fig. 2 Standoff Removal
1 - Standoff
2 - Back Side of Door Panel
3 - Sound Deadener
-3- 23-014-14
4. Cut the sound deadener on the back side of each door panel as shown in (Fig. 3).
Fig. 3 Trim Sound Deadener
1 - Cut Line
2 - Sound Deadener
3 - Back Side of Door Panel
23-014-14 -4-
5. Carefully drill a 5/16”(8mm) hole through door module at the center of the
formation/standoff (1) directly above the door module (if equipped) or just forward of
the part number tag (Fig. 4).
NOTE: Make sure door window is in the full upward position before drilling hole in
door module.
Fig. 4 Door Module Preparation
1 - Drill Location
2 - Door Module
3 - Sliding Door
-5- 23-014-14
6. Fully seat the white dual lock push clips (1) from repair kit into the 5/16” (8mm) hole in
the door modules (Fig. 5).
Fig. 5 Door Module Retainer Installation
1 - Dual Lock Push Clip
2 - Drilled Hole Location
3 - Door Module
23-014-14 -6-
7. Temporarily engage the dual lock halves in order to transfer the clip location from the
module to the door panel using Kent Leak Trace Powder or equivalent and scribe the
clip location on the back side of the door panel as shown in (Fig. 6).
NOTE: Door trim panel(s) will need to be rough set and pressurized to transfer the
contact location. Leak trace powder should be applied to the approximate
clip location on the back side of the door trim panel.
NOTE: Do not engage dual lock halves and remove peel-off backing to locate the
door trim panel side of the clip as this could result in an improperly placed
clip while reinstalling the door panel. Improperly placing the clip can
possibly destroy it if removal or repositioning is required. Do not use grease
to transfer clip location as this will leach into the plastic surface of the trim
panel and affect clip adhesive retention.
Fig. 6 Door Panel Preparation
1 - Scribe
2 - Back Side of Door panel
3 - Dual Lock Retaining Clip
-7- 23-014-14
8. Clean the surface area (1) of both door trim panels to be bonded with isopropyl alcohol
(Fig. 7).
9. Once the alcohol has evaporated apply 3M 4298 adhesion promoter or equivalent to
the surface area (1) where the dual lock adhesive backer will bond (Fig. 7).
Fig. 7 Door Panel Preparation
1 - Clip Bonding Area
2 - Back Side of Door Panel
3 - Sound Deadener
23-014-14 -8-
10. Firmly pressurize the blue dual lock clip at scribed location for 5 seconds after
removing the protective backing off the adhesive side of the clip.
NOTE: Let the blue dual lock clip cure for 1 hour before reinstalling the door trim
panels.
Fig. 8 Door Panel Retainer Installation
1 - Back Side of Door Panel
2 - Dual Lock Clip
3 - Sound Deadener
11. Reinstall both door trim panels. Refer to the detailed procedures available in
DealerConnect>TechCONNECT> under: Service Info> 23-Body> Doors - Sliding>
PANEL, Door Trim> Installation.
12. **Seat the door trim panel by pressing with firm pressure at the attachment location (1)
a specified distance from bottom and leading edge of the door trim panel (Fig. 9).**
NOTE: An audible “click” should be heard when pressing the door trim panel in
place.
-9- 23-014-14
Fig. 9 Dual Lock Engagement Location
1 - Attachment Location
23-014-14 -10-
13. Validate door trim panel clearance to rear quarter panel (Minimum Gap is 3/16 in / 6
mm) (Fig. 10).
NOTE: Gap can be checked by applying modeling clay to the suspect area of the
quarter panel.
Fig. 10 Improved Panel Clearance
1 - Contact Point
2 - Panel Clearance
3 - Door Trim Panel
4 - Quarter Panel
14. **Was door trim panel clearance to rear quarter panel (Minimum Gap is 3/16 in / 6
mm) specified in Step #13 achieved?
a. YES>>> Repair is complete. Return the vehicle to the customer.
b. NO>>> Remove one or both door trim panels that did not meet the clearance
specification. Refer to the detailed procedures available in
DealerConnect>TechCONNECT> under: Service Info> 23 - Body> Doors - Sliding>
PANEL, Door Trim> Removal. Then inspect for any interference between the dual
lock attachment point (3). Reposition and tape out of the way any cables (2) or
labels (1) that may be interfering as shown in (Fig. 11). Then repeat Step #11
through Step #13.**
-11- 23-014-14
Fig. 11 Dual Lock Interference Conditions
1 - Label
2 - Cable
3 - Dual Lock
POLICY:
Reimbursable within the provisions of the warranty.

 

I am looking for help on removing the panel. I haven't found anything online that details it. Could you give me some guidance? I appreciate it.

 

I understand this is a very old thread, but I came across it while looking for info on my 2011 GC Crew, and thought I'd comment, in case anyone was looking for this issue.

Just a suggestion: The drivers side sliding door is designed to NOT open, if the gas cover is open, as the door could damage the cover, or a pump inserted in the gas tank.

Something to consider.