2001 Caravan Electric Rear Door Intermittent

The rear electric door only occasionally works. Is there a sensor that causes it not to open or close which should be cleaned? Is the problem something else?

The electric rear door on my 2001 Caravan works only rarely. Some sensor to be cleaned? Other suggestions.

The electric rear door on my 2001 Caravan works only rarely. Some sensor to be cleaned? Other suggestions.



If you are refering to the handle under the light bar on the liftgate there are no contacts to clean. If your van is still under warranty bring it to the dealers and have them replace the handle and assembly. If it isn't under warranty let me know. These handles are all based on pressure sensors that unfortunately can be dammaged by pulling or pushing on them too hard. At least they are better than either the GM or Honda versions which crack easily.

If you are refering to the handle under the light bar on the liftgate there are no contacts to clean. If your van is still under warranty bring it to the dealers and have them replace the handle and assembly. If it isn't under warranty let me know. These handles are all based on pressure sensors that unfortunately can be dammaged by pulling or pushing on them too hard. At least they are better than either the GM or Honda versions which crack easily.
Thanks, but I'm referring to the mechanism which actually opens the hatch up when buttons on either your remote key fob or buttons on the overhead console are pushed. Fortunately, the electric handle works fine. I know there is some sensor somewhere which stops it from opening or closing if something is in the way.

Try taking off the scuff plate and the header plate. When those are off gently pull back the left 'D' pillar (the 1/4 trim) and see if the wire harness is pinched or disconnected. If that is fine there is also a black module bolted near the motor that could also be giving you trouble. Last but not least, the actual motor itself could be the root of all your trouble. I recall there being some trouble with some of those motors in the plant. I'll see if one of the engineers has any ideas for you.

Thanks, I'll give it a try ASAP.

I have been having this same problem for the last 3-4 weeks. My car has been in the shop three full days, and the dooris still is not working. When I want to open it with my remote opener, the door has a mind of its own......It opens when it feels like it. It even partially disengaged, and then pulled itself back in, after dropping my son off at school. They have replaced a rubber bumber, and I am going back again tomorrow. It is under an extended warranty policy. I have no confidence in the dealership at this point, and I certainly have no confidence in the product. I have had all sorts of problems over the last two years. This is just the latest. I printed out this thread to take with me. I will post a reply if I find anything out!

I just had the dealer replace the entire handle and sensor on my 2001. It finally quit working altogether. My van is going back in again for 4 other problems that the dealer was suppose to have already fixed. It's not the van that is bad, it is the work the dealership is doing. I build these vans everyday and the dealerships idea of how the repairs should be done vary drastically from how the repairs are done in plant. I'm going to suggest to the plant manager that the dealerships send their mechanics into to the plant to be trained on how to do the repairs properly. The poor customer relations from the dealership I deal with is appaling at best. You have one person calling to see if you are happy with the work you have had done and when you say no the next person disputes why you are unhappy.