GranCaravan Sliding door jammed.

The sliding door on the drivers side was jammed when the kids accidently slammed door too hard. I have been all through the door panel and nothing seems out of the ordinary. I was not able to get the door latch to open normally and even tried that by hand. It seems to move but there is no movement inside the mechanism releasing the door. Is there a door diagram, schematic available somewhere that would show me how to pop this latch manually? Would anybody have any suggestions on how to get this door unjammed. I have heard this was a problem, but never encountered this before. Any help or suggestions are welcome. I was just hoping to avoid a big repair bill.

Scott

If it's the driver's side sliding door, one possibility is that the fuel door switch has been jammed. Remember, the door will not open if it "sees" the fuel door open.

Try having someone push from the inside the rear part of the door while you try the latch from the outside.

The Haynes manual has a photographes of the latching mechanism, I'm searching right now for any info on the fuel door switch....


I could find no further info on the sliding door. There was no reference to the fuel door and how it works against the sliding door.

Besides the fuel door switch there is a child proof lever that needs to be in the up position. Manual says this can be accessed from the outside but I don't see how. I took the door panel off to lift the lever. it's black.

There is a brass colored pin that sticks out the back edge of the door that is probably bent from the hard slam of the door. Try undoing the bolts from the inside of the door. If that doesn't work try undoing the 'C' post cover and left 1/4 panel with a flat-head and a #2 philips screwdriver. Behind these panels is a black tar patch. Pull this patch off and you will have access to where brass pin connects to the gas door stopper. Bend or pry it back and the door should open. When you do get it open, bend the brass pin back into place which has approx. a 2-4 degree back bend from being parallel to the door. Hope this helps.

sometimes when the tempature is cold the door will freeze shut until the car warms up if thats the case just run the heater for 10-20 minutes if not and it is the furl door then unlock it manually ( lift the lock) and every thing should be fine

Ours got stuck as well and I found that you have to pull the handle and then use your hand to manual lower the latch at the same time.

well look at my post if the door freezes on a cold winters mourn

First pull away the weather strip around the area near the door latch's next pull the cover away from the wheel arch (just behind the seatbelt anchor point then drill a hole (10 mm should do) through the flange on the car behind and in line with the fuel-flap latch then use a screwdriver to unlatch the catch through the hole.
rust remedy the hole push a grommet in the hole Or leave open replace the trim and the weather strip.
you can also depending on the aperture unlatch the fuel door latch from the outside by bending a flathead screwdriver about 35 to 45 degrees and using that unlatch the catch through the space between the door and frame.
You need to first get the screwdriver to touch the upright latch and then push down on the release while pushing against the door to relieve the pressure on the latch.