99 sienna power door wont latch when engine is off

[jeffkimble]

My 99 sienna just started doing the following:

If you use any of the switches to close the door when the engine is off, the door will not always latch fully( no second click from the rear latch ) and then it has trouble opening. Tries to close again even if you try to manually force it.

However, if the car is running, then the door latches 99% of the time.
It leads me to think that the extra voltage from the alternator running is enough for the door motor to pull the latch tight.

Anyone have any suggestions of how to diagnose/fix/workaround for this? I have a new battery, so it's not that I have low voltage when the car is not running, and I cleaned all my battery terminal connections, so I don't think there is a voltage drop.

It's driving my wife nuts, and I am frightened by the other posts about parts and labor costs!

Thanks!

[jarnis]

Originally Posted by jeffkimble

My 99 sienna just started doing the following:

If you use any of the switches to close the door when the engine is off, the door will not always latch fully( no second click from the rear latch ) and then it has trouble opening. Tries to close again even if you try to manually force it.

We're having the same problem with our 2000 Sienna. I'm wondering how the door is supposed to be lubricated. Anybody?

-J. Pape