Sliding side door

[pistonbroke]

Freda's sliding door has decided to lock itself shut. It can't be opened from inside or out and feels 'locked' rather than floppy as though something's come adrift with the mechanism. I've removed the door card as best as I can - how does the inner handle come off? - and had a look inside, I can't see anything obviously wrong; no broken linkages/cables etc. I have a remote central locking system as an after-market add-on and wonder whether the motor on that door has failed. The others all work fine. It is probably a coincidence, but this happened after the vehicle battery became completely - and I mean completely - discharged (long story) but I don't see what that could have done. Any ideas anyone? Any suggestions would be appreciated 'cos iyt's a real embuggerance. It's amazing how much that door gets used.

[longhaul8]

There is the problem the flat battery i belive the comon remady for this problem is to give the inside of the door a good wack with your hand about half way down at the front. From inside

[westonwarrior]

spot on reply

if that does not work then the door card needs removing and the microswitch needs acitvating to complete the cycle, releasing the door

[Simon Jones]

Inner handle is retained by a wire c-clip. Push the door card away from the handle and then using something like a bent paper clip, hook the c-clip out but be careful it doesn't spring off into the distance. I'm sure there's a photo of one on here someone which shows exactly how it fits.

[teenmal]

Here you go...


http://translate.google.com/translate?h ... Kbg22.html

[Simon Jones]

You've gotta love those Engrish translations:

"There was a contact from my wife and suddenly sliding door does not open. ー Frendy has become the last car and not only on the left side sliding door. Therefore, it does not open that door would be to hard (what?)"

[Northern Bongolow]

once you have removed the door card peel back the plastic sheet.
low down in the door you will see the cable coming from the rear edge of the door, the cable end needs to be pushed towards the front edge of the door to complete the locking cycle, watch yer fingers as once a connection is made the cam/motor takes over and does its thing taking your fingers with it

[teenmal]

Hi,

You dont want your fingers anywhere near the mechanism,just use a stick or similar and push the pivot pin (circled in red)
in the direction of the arrow.

Cheers.

[pistonbroke]

Thanks for the tips guys. Will start with the thumping suggestion, probably accompanied with a couple of Anglo-Saxon incantations. Will let you know how things go. Why does the battery running flat make this happen? If the battery were to be changed, there would be no power to the motor during changeover, but the thing would work when the new battery was connected. Don't get that, but then I view anything powered by electricity as witchcraft. It'll never catch on.

[pistonbroke]

.........oh, and why, if it works after getting thumped, should it stay working? What has actually happened?

[westonwarrior]

the mechanism has stopped before completing its cycle jamming the opener, so by thumping it you dislodge the micro switch, telling the door its just closed and goes through the cycle again this time completing its task making it able to be opened.

Or you teach it a realy good lesson in doing as its told and it gets scared and stops playing up

yes once fixed it should stay fixed

[pistonbroke]

Have just thumped the door as directed and ........ IT NOW WORKS!!! Also looked up the translation thing as suggested. What a forum this is. Spot on technical (if that's the right word) advice and a bloody good laugh to boot. Thanks again everyone and for the explanation of what actually happened there.