Power sliding door won't open

2003 SEL, driver's side. Won't open automatically when using interior buttons over the rear view mirror or on the door pillar or keyless remote. Cleaned off the contacts, but that didn't help. Door will close automatically, though, using any of the aforementioned controls.

Hello, have you disconnected the battery or has the van ran out of battery lately? If so the door can "forget" it's opened and closed positions and won't either close or open automatically, this happened to my 2000 windstar passenger side door. To fix it you should read your owner's manual, it has a procedure to reprogram each door at a time.

Best regards,

Oscar.

EDIT:

Here is the procedure from the manual:

Resetting the PSD
The power sliding door may operate incorrectly or not at all because of the following condition:
• a low voltage or dead battery
• disconnecting the battery
• if the PSD fuse (fuse #6) is removed or blown. Refer to Fuses and relays in the Roadside emergencies chapter.
If any of these conditions occur, reset the PSD by:
1. Check to see if power sliding door is unlocked and securely closed.
2. Make sure the gearshift is in (P) Park.
3. Push the power door control on the overhead console to open the door.
4. Wait five (5) seconds and close the door by pressing the power door control on the overhead console.
5. Wait five (5) seconds and repeat Steps 3 and 4 and go on to step 6. 6. Repeat steps 3–5 for opposite door.
If the door does not rest in the fully open position, repeat Steps 1–4 again. If the door still does not operate correctly:
7. Turn the ignition switch to OFF.
8. Remove the PSD fuse (fuse #6) from the passenger fuse panel and leave it out for thirty (30) seconds. Refer to Fuses and relays in the Roadside emergencies chapter.
9. Reinstall the fuse and wait ten (10) seconds. 10. Repeat steps 1–6 above.

Thanks, Oscar,

Turned out to be quite simple for a change. Looked at my owner's manual, which I would not have done (it's usually pretty useless) had you not suggested it. There I found a line to the effect that the driver's side sliding door will not close if the fuel door is open (makes sense for safety reasons).

Well, my fuel door wasn't open, but when I looked it was slightly out of line. Opened it, did a little bending and, voila!, the sliding door now opens just fine.

I'm glad to know you fixed your problem buddy, I didn't remember that about the fuel door my windstar only has 1 power sliding door (passenger side) and that's the one we usually use! LOL. It's good to know that my info helped in order to take a look at that dusted manual.

Best regards,

Oscar.