Manually open Dutch Door Hatch

[FishyBC]

When I push the button for the Dutch Door hatch, it locks all of my doors (or it unlocks them, depending on the day). I believe there must be a short and need to take the panel apart on the back of the door to look at it but am unable to because I cant get the hatch open.

I think these are using a solenoid that is triggered by the button so I need to find a way to manually open the window at least once.

Any thoughts ?

[Bozonerator]

I have the same problem. I found that if I drive with the rear window not latched it locks the Dutch doors. If I close the window, get in the van and start it, then unlock the locks using the lock button at the driver's door the Dutch doors unlock.

[FishyBC]

I cannot even get the rear window open. That's my problem. If I can, I think there is a short in the back window lock ! Once I can get in there, I can see if it's something obvious and if nothing else, I will replace the rear lock mechanism.

There must be a way to get this thing open.

[CD Smalley]

According to my owners manual, the only way to open this door is with the key fob or the switch on the dash.

Now that being said, there has to be away to open this manually. I just don't know how. But overall a pretty poor design to not have a manual way to open the door....

[GLFarnes]

This is a real safety problem with these vans. You'd think they would have to have an inner release.

You can get the door open by removing the inner door handle, and prying the panel back far enough to pull the rods that open the door. Under each side of the inner handle there are little covers you pry off. You can then get to the screws that hold the handle on and take them out. There are two more screws to either side of the panel, so remove them. Pry the panel up and hope it don't break.

Good Luck
Jerry

[red2001]

the rear door is powered by the reverse switch on the steering column. If this switch is out of alignment, then you will have no power for the dash switch.

[FishyBC]

Well I got sick of this problem and and not having time to be able to fix it myself, I took it to the dealer who would have seen this a bunch of times I'm sure. It was the switch in the dutch door. Water drips on it cause of the poor design and eventually causes the switch to fail. They broke the back panel getting it off (great design) and suggested that the actuator was lazy and could stand to be replaced as well so I did. Almost $500 later it works as it should again.

I could have broken it alot cheaper than that ! Lesson learned

[GLFarnes]

Originally Posted by FishyBC

Almost $500 later it works as it should again.

How about next time you want to fix something, I fly down and fix it. I could charge you a plane ticket and you would still save money.
I think they really got to you. The job should have been under two hundred with the part. That's why they call them stealerships!!

Jerry

[FishyBC]

Parts in Canader were about $330 CDN ($260) but you are right. They took advantage of my frustration !!! Oh well I'll get a part time job to pay them now.