2008 Caravan power lock actuator, door panel removal?


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Old 06-14-11, 11:20 AM
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2008 Caravan power lock actuator, door panel removal?

I have a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan minivan with power locks - the locks work fine except the drivers door - when you try to unlock it you can see movement and it trying to pop up to the unlock position - it just doesn't go up. Sometimes it will move a little up and once in a while it does go all the way up, but most times it just sits in the locked position - so it looks like power is getting to the mechainism. First - how do you remove the door panel? Second - is this a common problem? Is replacing the lock actuator the reccomended fix?
 
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Old 06-14-11, 01:49 PM
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It is most likely the door latch/actuator that is causing this problem.
The door panel comes off by removing the small trim panel adjacent to the mirror, then remove the 2 screws in the door panel, 1 in the pull cup and the other behind the door handle. Both of the screws may be behind small covers. once you have these screws out then slide a plastic trim tool between the door panel and the door and pop the door panel off of the door. This may take some effort as these clips are pretty tight. Some of the clips may stay in the door. Before reinstalling the panel you will want to remove those clips from the door and reinstall them in the panel.
Now removing the door carrier plate is a different story. Here are the steps directly from the service manual.
1. With the door glass in the 3/4 up position, remove the front door trim panel (Refer to 23 - Body/Door - Front/PANEL, Door Trim - Removal) .
2. Remove the round close-out plug (1) from the carrier plate (2).

NOTE: Illustration shown with carrier plate removed for clarity.
3. Remove the door speaker from the door (Refer to 08 - Electrical/Audio and Video/SPEAKER - Removal) .
4. Working through the close-out plug and speaker holes in the carrier plate, carefully disengage the front door glass (1) from the two plastic retainer clips (2) located on the window regulator (3).

WARNING: Use care when removing the door glass to prevent breakage. Do not force the glass out of the door. Failure to follow this warning may result in serious injury.

5. Remove the front door glass (1) from the window opening. Tip the front of the glass downward to disengage the glass from the glass run and then lift the glass out of the opening.

6. Working through the access hole in the carrier plate (1), remove the door lock cylinder shield (2) from inside the door, if equipped.

7. Working through the access hole in the carrier plate (4), disengage the retaining clips that secure the two linkage rods (1 and 3) to the exterior door handle (2) and disconnect the rods from the handle.

NOTE: Illustration shown with door and door seal removed for clarity.
8. Disengage the door wire harness grommet (2) from the cowl side panel and disconnect the two body wire harness connectors from the door harness.
9. Remove the two screws (3) that secure the wire harness door bracket (4) to the door (1).
10. Disengage the door seal as required from the door and route the door wire harness out from beneath the seal.
11. Remove the three screws (1) that secure the door latch (6) to the rear of the door (7).
12. Remove the bolts (4) that secure the carrier plate (3) to the door.
13. Pull the carrier plate away from the door to disengage the retaining tabs that secure the plate to the door and remove the carrier plate, door latch and linkage as an assembly from the door. Rotate and tilt the carrier plate as necessary to gain clearance for removal.
14. If required, remove the door latch from the carrier plate (Refer to 23 - Body/Door - Front/LATCH, Door - Removal) .
15. If required, remove the window regulator motor (5) and/or regulator (2) from the carrier plate (Refer to 23 - Body/Door - Front/REGULATOR, Window - Removal)


Hope this helps ya,
Billy
 
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Old 06-15-11, 05:37 AM
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OMG - this is a horrible job (but thanks for the great information!). I've replaced windows, doors, handles, locks, ... before in various vehicles and I figured there would be a new twist to this, but I can't believe this is so hard. Is there any easy way out of this - like replacing the top end of the door lock knob (the thing that actually pops up and down when you lock the door) so that you can grab it to unlock it and just use the metal key to unlock the door? Any idea how much a mechanic would charge for this job?
 
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Old 06-15-11, 06:02 AM
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I can tell you this they are a PITA!!! I have done several of them for various reasons. Unfortunately not much way around replacing that latch. You can usually expect to pay close to 2 hours labor. Not sure what the labor rate is where you are but here in Hagerstown our labor rate is $93.00. Plus the price of the part. If you want to just use the metal key to unlock the door then that is always an option until it locks up and that no longer works.
Billy
 
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Old 10-15-11, 08:00 PM
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Similar problem

Is there no way to just cut the wiring somewhere and solder/splice the new part and mount it in place without gutting the door?

My passenger door actuator bounces up and down when you try to lock it using the electrical paths (rather than just pushing it down manually). Does this require removing the glass and wiring harness?

Is there no recall on this? Should be.

Gary
 
 

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