96 Caravan Power Locks

[Nebil]

Recently purchased a 96 Grand Caravan and really like it. Got it for a good price and the only thing I can find wrong with is that the power locks can behave a little funny if you inadvertently depress the power switch down when the locks already down if I said that right. You hear the motor whirr for a second. This usually comes from the driver's door but can also come from side door. Could this be a relay switch problem? Would be interested in hearing if anybody has same issues before I take it to a stealer..uh..dealer. Thanx.

Bill

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I bought a new 97 and the dearler changed the drivers door lock twice and both sliding doors once.Luckly it was under warranty. So I just bought a used 97 a few months ago the drivers door lock does the old buzzing noise. It doesnt hurt any thing you may have to hit the switch a few times to get it to lock or unlock. I went to a junk yard and got three locks two worked ok the the third buzzed. There is a rotory arm in side the lock that doesn't catch all the time and what you hear is the motor spinning inside it. The slidding door switch can be fixed with a little epoxy but the front doors are glued together and are almost impossible to get apart. Hopes this helps...

[Nebil]

Thank you, yes that did help. I recently went to the dealer to see what recall work was done on this vehicle and while I was there I looked around their used car lot and tried the doors on a '96 and it was really bad. I now hear that this was common on the '96, '97 models. Is it simple to get the door panel off on these things? I noticed you puchased another '97. You must have had a good experience with the first. The downside of visiting these forums for advice is that you have to swim through all the scary things that have happened to people...If I hadn't already owned VW, Chev, Ford, Nissan, Toyota, Honda...the list goes on, I would think that these problems were unique to Caravans. Thanks for your comments.

Bill

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So far I haven't had any major problem with mine. Considering everyother mini van out there is a caravan they cant be to bad there is always going to be a few lemons. The door panels aren't to bad to get off, you may break a couple of those plastic clips that hold it in place though. When I went yo the junk yard I grabed a hand full of them. The sliding door lock has a little rubber boot on it you move the boot and uder the boot there is a stop that breaks, a little epoxy on it a it will work fine...generaly... The drivers door is a different design lock I tried to fix it and it didnt work. They glued it together and you almost have to destroy the lock to fix it. Hope this helps... Amin