95 Astro Dutch doors

[smittymagic]

The large back window of my 95 astro will not open when the latch release is pressed or the key is put in the back door and turned. Only one side releases and the other stays locked so I can not open my back door. It is a dutch door so there is three doors on the back of my van. Does anyone know how I can open this door and fix it?

[cmb1455]

Yeah, in fact, I found the answer here, though I do not have the specific bulletin number, but here's the repair story, as viewed from the inside of the van looking back at the closed hatch door:

The plastice trim piece around the inner side of the window is held in place by 2 bolts that actually hold the door handle in place (the one you grab onto to close it when it is open again--mine are 10MM) and by 2 other screws, one on either side on the lower corners of the door. The door handle screws are covered by little plastic covers that just pop off. Once those 4 screws are off, the trim piece is held in place by spring clips, 3 across the bottom and 3 across the top. Pop the bottom ones and this will give you access to the latch mechanism. You should be able to get a hold of the left side release bar with a pair of needle nose pliers while a helper unlocks the right side from the rear of the van. You can smile and wave to your helper through the rear glass---every encouragement of a helper is a good idea . Once the hatch is open, you can take the entire plastic panel off for ease of access. The real problem is that the release arm has come out of the center latch assy and I guess sometimes the plastic grommet holding the arm to the mechanism is broken or missing--mine was not. In any event, all you need to do is put the latch arm back into the latch mechanism and secure it somehow. I used a couple of wire ties, one around the latch mechanism and the other one around the arm and then attached to the first wire tie, holding the arm in place. But you will probably figure out something easier or better than what I did.

From what I gather, this is a common problem that GM has never really addressed as a factory fix, so you are on your own as the best way to do it. When I got access to the latch mechanism, I discovered that the guy who attempted a prior fix used electrical tape to try and keep the arm in the latch. I was deeply disappointed to know that another man completely missed the opportunity to use duct tape. I mean, if you're going to use tape to fix something, use Duct Tape, for crying out loud.

On a more serious note, I went into this fix with about the same information I am giving you and taking my time with it, I was done in under an hour. You'll do fine, I'm sure. Have fun!

[smittymagic]

Any chance you know the answer to this?

My heater/airconditioning fan only runs on high and doesn't work on any other setting. Why does it work on high and not on any other level?

[cmb1455]

Smitty,
I have not run across this problem...and hope I don't! I really don't know much about vehicles but something like this sounds like some sort of relay, or perhaps even the fan control switch itself. A buddy of mine who has a Chrysler van had the same problem as you describe and the fix was a relay. If you have a good sized library nearby, they will probably have a Chilton's manual or something like it that will probably have a wiring diagram and that will at least give you some idea what is there, and maybe give you a direction to look in.

[drew300]

fan:
There are 2 fuses, 1 for high, 1 for the other speeds.
On my '97, the sealant on the resistor board ate the printed wire on the board.
The board is accessed by removing the washer bottle / coolant reserve bottle.
I repaired the board with a wire and solder.