Rear Door latch

[C Hopper]

I found info on this at

Subject: Liftgate won't unlock

The rear door on my 1999 Caravan SE won't open. The door quit working going on a trip and will not work now. The key will not turn to the left. The electric door release makes a buzzing sound for a second then stops. I thought about taking the inside door cover off but can't get to all the screws.
Any help will be gladly taken

[heath3000]

I have a similar problem with my 99 Caravan. To get the truck open, from the inside of the van, remove the small round plastic piece from the inside panel. Then take a long screwdriver (or something similar) and break through the plastic/tar film that is protecting the latch mechanism. Just feel around with the screwdriver until you find something to lift up on, and lift it. This should release the latch and you should be able to push the door open. The screws to remove from the panel are on the bottom and sides, along with 2 underneath the 3rd brake light cover (where the panel meets the window). Then you just have to pop off the remaining plastic connectors within the panel to remove it. Good luck.

[coward3]

What was the problem? Lock actuator? I had the identical problem. Seems like its the lock atuator. Just wondering what happened in your situation.

[heath3000]

No, mine was just a simple nut and bolt that appeared to have come off (or something like that), although I never found it. The latch release wasn't pivoting when the handle was lifted. I actually had to break into the metal frame (peeled it back) in order to get in to fix it. So mine was purely mechanical.

[patapen]

Can anyone bring this thread back to life and tell me how to remove the door locking mechanism... or how to fix this same problem which I have? Maybe an exploded view picture that I can compare to my door locking mechanism. I have become tired of asking one of my children to open the door from the inside with a screwdriver.

My wife can not get a carriage out when she is alone... has just been a pain in the A**

Thanks for the help!

[C Hopper]

The back panel,( it is large), needs come loose so you can get to the electric lock selenoid. just unhook the selenoid and use the door as a manual door with the key or replace the lock assy.
It is a little to the drivers side of the center of the door.
hope that helps

[patapen]

I should have been more clear...

The door can not be opened using the handle on the outside... the handle swings freely. I opened it and looked but can not see anything wrong. The electric locking mechanism has been disconnected.

I need some detail on how it works... an exploded view

Thanks for the reply

[patapen]

trying to ping this back to life....

Can anyone provide an exploded view diagram of the reach door latch, rear lift back door? I am thinking something is amiss and a simple fix may be all that is needed. BUT I dont know what to look for to know if it is amiss or a-broken.

I am tired of opening from the inside through that little hole.... not to mention it is impossible to open when there is something too big to gain access TO that little hole

Thanks

[vgb14]

I've got the same exact issue as patapan in my 98 Grand Caravan. The outside handle will not drive the latch open, even with the locking solenoid removed. I'm stumped on this one. Has anyone been succesful in repairing this? Thanks.

[tempfixit]

check out thi site at autozone.com http://www.autozone.com/az/cds/en_us...rInfoPages.htm

hope this helps, good luck

[vgb14]

Thanks for the link. I managed to remove the plastic bolt but I could not find the "retaining groove" they refer to. It's kind of tough to see in there, and I finally gave up for now. I'm still puzzled and for now I'm being forced to open the liftgate from the access hole in the rear trim panel.