problems with sliding door opening whilst driving

Post by **MattyGreg05** » 08 Apr 2007, 08:18

Good Morning all and Happy Easter.

I am experiencing problems with the sliding door on my panel van.
It is coming open whilst driving even when it is locked.
Has anyone experienced this and/or dos anyone who why it happens and how i can fix it?

Matt

Post by **kevtherev** » 08 Apr 2007, 08:57

could be the striker plate worn or badly positioned

catch mechanism is loose or won out

basicaly get it off and check it out

Post by **MattyGreg05** » 08 Apr 2007, 09:10

where would i find the striker plate and catch mechanism and what do they look like??

Post by **Rozzo** » 08 Apr 2007, 10:24

they're the bits that lock together, mechanism is on the back edge of the door and the striker is on the front edge of the rear pillar.
they work the same as any vehicle door catch and with the door open you should be able to click the mechanism to the shut position where it should lock, then it should spring open when u operate the door handle. check that once locked it cant be pulled open.

Post by **Rozzo** » 08 Apr 2007, 10:26

then on the front face of the rear sliding door pillar you will see the bit that the mechanism hook locks round (kind of a pin) this may need adjustment if itsworn to prevent the mechanism hook from being able to jump off it in the locked position.

Post by **Rozzo** » 08 Apr 2007, 10:29

i've not looked but usually to adjust it you loosen the screws which secure the backplate of the striker and it can be moved in all directions by a small ammount to tighten things up.
hope this lot makes sense as its easier to do than to describe

Post by **MattyGreg05** » 08 Apr 2007, 10:33

Yeah, Tried that already but it doesn't seem to make any difference unfortunately.
I was okay going to the Lake District but on the second day I had to resort to tying string round the passenger and sliding door handles to keep it closed.
It just keeps opening randomly when you least expect it to.
Would a new catch be the only answer? I do want to buy a new catch and still have the problem you see. it's a mare!
Arrggghhh!!!!!

Post by **Rozzo** » 08 Apr 2007, 11:00

hard to say without seeing it really but it would be the safest option as a new one can't open by itself if thats what its doing. is it well lubricated? as it could be a catch inside the mechanism which is not free to engage properly?
good luck with it anyhow

Post by **T3teedub** » 08 Apr 2007, 11:13

I also had the problem. It seemed no amount of fiddling with the post on the door frame (body) would keep it locked. I finally sussed it by raising the post to it's highest position and it worked. Been good for over a year now.

Post by **MattyGreg05** » 08 Apr 2007, 11:18

Sorry i am a little clueless.

How would i raise the post?

Post by **T3teedub** » 08 Apr 2007, 13:02

The post is adjustable. Loosen it with a spanner (15mm I think) and it can be moved around in it's hole. Move it to the highest point.

Post by **Simon Baxter** » 08 Apr 2007, 17:30

replace the lock part on the rear end of the door with a new one from VW.
happens all the time with 85> vans.

Post by **Rozzo** » 08 Apr 2007, 18:33

see if you spout rubbish for long enough, sooner or later the guru appears and puts you right

Post by **MattyGreg05** » 08 Apr 2007, 19:35

Thanks everybody for your replies you've been very helpful.

T3teedub, what a star. Adjusted the post and it now shuts perfectly and stays shut. superb.

Thanks Again

Matt

Post by **T3teedub** » 08 Apr 2007, 20:52

rozzolink wrote:see if you spout rubbish for long enough, sooner or later the guru appears and puts you right

Quite often true, but then sometimes the rubbish way is quicker and easier.

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