F@$##$King side door

[caveman]

My bloody side door is making me crazy. I have adjusted every way possible but either i have to push the rear to make it close completely and even then sometimes after a big pothole or bump it'll pop open. I basically know how to adjust bodies and doors , but i'm a mechanic ,not a body guy. I even had the bodyshop next door to me try to adjust it. It's a low milage 1990 transporter and no signs of ever being hit. The bentley shows a slightly different setup and i'm wondering if the later models didn't get modified to the point of having less adjustment in them. My question is: should the cable that connects to the rear lock have a bit of slack in it ? It seems to me that it may be pulling at the lock on bumps because it's so tight. But it is a solid wire ,not a cable with an adjustment.

[Mr Bean]

My bloody side door is making me crazy. I have adjusted every way possible but either i have to push the rear to make it close completely and even then sometimes after a big pothole or bump it'll pop open. I basically know how to adjust bodies and doors , but i'm a mechanic ,not a body guy. I even had the bodyshop next door to me try to adjust it. It's a low milage 1990 transporter and no signs of ever being hit. The bentley shows a slightly different setup and i'm wondering if the later models didn't get modified to the point of having less adjustment in them. My question is: should the cable that connects to the rear lock have a bit of slack in it ? It seems to me that it may be pulling at the lock on bumps because it's so tight. But it is a solid wire ,not a cable with an adjustment.

Yes my 88 van door has started to pop open so for the moment I lock it and that solves the problem. But maybe there is a clue in there somewhere! Is there something in the handle area like a weak spring or slack movement which can jiggle and ork the catch loose. This job is a couple down the list at the moment but if you haven't cracked it by the timeI get to it I will have a go.
Cheers
Ken

[caveman]

The confusing thing is that locking it doesn't solve the self opening problem. I also checked the rear lock and it definitely locks properly. That's why i think the problem is because the wire is pulling the lock. In the bentely and what somebody told me is to adjust the cable. Well there isn't a cable and it's unadjustable.

[Fritz]

,you will have to decide if the catch mechanism is at fault (the bit secured to the door),,,,,,,,,,,,, or if the striker is the problem (the post fitted to the van), which then won't allow the catch to close fully.

If it is the striker which has moved a simple adjustment may be all that is need to sort your problem.
BUT if it is the catch mechanism which is at fault you may be able to tell by looking closely at the lever and pawl for signs of wear. Loose levers and worn pawls are common, they can be repaired or replaced the choice is yours.

Regards

Fritz,,,,,,,,,,

[AngeloEvs]

Had the same problem and adjusted the striker in the direction that commonsense would seem to suggest and it was worse. Adjusted it the opposite way and no more pushing to get it flush.

[caveman]

Fritz, the striker and rear lock are in perfect order. I would have replaced them if that was the problem. As i stated i have adjusted dozens if not hundreds of doors in the past ,however not any sliding doors [it's my first van].
Ken : as i suspected the cable that releases the rear lock seems to be at least partly at fault. Disconnected it at the front and i immediately noted that the cable eye wants to sit 1/8 " back from it's seat. Left it disconnected and after driving over many potholes and bumps [many here in Montreal, you don't need to drive in the bush to feel like you are off-roading ] the door stayed latched. Now to see how to either adjust the length [or something].

[Fritz]

You said ::

Fritz, the striker and rear lock are in perfect order.

But have you taken it off your van to inspect it closely, as there is no way you can check this without doing so.

Also the (operating) cable needs to be under tension when the door is closed , if this cable is slack you will not have enough movement of the release handle to open the door....


Regards

Fritz,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[Pepperami]

WD40