[Mopar owner]

2016 DGC, regular non-power sliding doors.
The drivers side sliding door won't unlock so I can't get it open. I didn't close it last, so I can't be sure it didn't close on something.

I removed the plastic cover inside around the latch handle. I can grab the lock rod, but it won't budge either way. It feels like if I force it too hard, it could break a plastic part inside the door.

How can I remove the door panel with the door closed?
Any suggestions? A picture showing the lock mechanism (door panel removed) would be helpful.

In the image you should see the silver rod near the top. Which connects to the door lock. If you can get pliers on the rod, and push it to the left (right on passenger side door) it will unlock the door.

 

[Mopar owner]

My 2010 T&C Touring is Electric everything... And the last Electric Everything I'll ever buy.. I'm going to find a old Mopar pickup and play with it...

We purposely do not purchase Caravans with automatic doors, as these create problems which minimize their convenience. Unfortunately, it is difficult to find any vehicle manufactured in the past ~20 years which does not have power door locks. Sometimes I miss the air-cooled VWs I drove for more than thirty years.

 

[Mopar owner]

2016 DGC, regular non-power sliding doors.
The drivers side sliding door won't unlock so I can't get it open. I didn't close it last, so I can't be sure it didn't close on something.

I removed the plastic cover inside around the latch handle. I can grab the lock rod, but it won't budge either way. It feels like if I force it too hard, it could break a plastic part inside the door.

How can I remove the door panel with the door closed?
Any suggestions? A picture showing the lock mechanism (door panel removed) would be helpful.

If you can get the top of the panel away from the door you can use pliers and force the door lock cable -- not the rod -- (push cable to the left) to unlock the door. There are diagrams available which note the cable's location. Also, if you have a longer set of pliers you may be able to reach the cable through the opening in the door handle, which will be up and to your left.
After replacing the door lock solenoid -- using instructions mounting the unit near the handle and not having to then dismantle the rest of the door -- I found I had to remove a portion of the handle's trim (lower part) in order to prevent the latch from binding on it.

 

[Mopar owner]

2016 DGC, regular non-power sliding doors.
The drivers side sliding door won't unlock so I can't get it open. I didn't close it last, so I can't be sure it didn't close on something.

I removed the plastic cover inside around the latch handle. I can grab the lock rod, but it won't budge either way. It feels like if I force it too hard, it could break a plastic part inside the door.

How can I remove the door panel with the door closed?
Any suggestions? A picture showing the lock mechanism (door panel removed) would be helpful.

I found the trim piece covering the sliding door handle and lock was impleading the manual lock, preventing the locking mechanism from working. The lock worked find with the trim piece removed, and I am presently adapting that so it can be reinstalled and not restrict the lock. Super-annoying to discover this obvious design flaw after spending too many hours attempting to diagnose the issue.

 

[Mopar owner]

You will need to push the rod towards the back of the vehicle in order to unlock the door. With only the door cover removed it will be difficult getting the leverage necessary, and you may have to first remove the door panel.

 

[Mopar owner]

2016 DGC, regular non-power sliding doors.
The drivers side sliding door won't unlock so I can't get it open. I didn't close it last, so I can't be sure it didn't close on something.

I removed the plastic cover inside around the latch handle. I can grab the lock rod, but it won't budge either way. It feels like if I force it too hard, it could break a plastic part inside the door.

How can I remove the door panel with the door closed?
Any suggestions? A picture showing the lock mechanism (door panel removed) would be helpful.

A 12v solenoid wired to the door unlock rod. Replacing the door solenoid which requires major door interior dismantling to service or replace. The green and blue wires are the ones which activate the door solenoid.

 

[Mopar owner]

Pushing the rod towards the rear of the Van should -- hopefully -- unlock the door. Not certain as to the reference to 'cable', unless it was an unfortunate error on my part. As others have noted, it can take a bit of effort when pushing against the rod. Depending on the door, there will be fittings which secure the rod. If these are either loose or broken the rod will have the tendency to push outwards instead of connecting with the door locking mechanism. In such cases the door panel would need to be removed, in order to connect further down the rod.

 

[Mopar owner]

Agree. The fix is much easier than ripping into the door to replace the actuator.
I used additional zip ties to zip ties to secure the solenoid.

 

[Mopar owner]

Well I find it crazy that Chrysler has known about this issue with the doors. I found a place that tracks these issues. Sept. of 2010 there is a write up about it. Of course no response from Chrysler. NOW 3 years ago when I bought my Used 2010. about 5 month later I got a recall on the Drivers side air-bag. (The Chrysler Emblem turns into a missile when air-bage is deployed. Causing big issues.) That was 3 years ago, and I have taken it to the dealership to get it replaced, but they don't have it in stock) My Minivan is paid off next month. 106,687 miles on her. She had 97,874 when I got her. If I could get into that drivers side door I could fix it.. But I don't want to destroy the trim panel because they don't make them anymore. I've looked everywhere... Sort of pisses me off that Car companies just don't care about their customers, just the money.

Is there any means to remove the trim piece around the door handle? If the door has the lock rod arrangement as other Caravans you may be able to use pliers to push the rod towards the back, and unlock the door.

 

[Mopar owner]

Well I find it crazy that Chrysler has known about this issue with the doors. I found a place that tracks these issues. Sept. of 2010 there is a write up about it. Of course no response from Chrysler. NOW 3 years ago when I bought my Used 2010. about 5 month later I got a recall on the Drivers side air-bag. (The Chrysler Emblem turns into a missile when air-bage is deployed. Causing big issues.) That was 3 years ago, and I have taken it to the dealership to get it replaced, but they don't have it in stock) My Minivan is paid off next month. 106,687 miles on her. She had 97,874 when I got her. If I could get into that drivers side door I could fix it.. But I don't want to destroy the trim panel because they don't make them anymore. I've looked everywhere... Sort of pisses me off that Car companies just don't care about their customers, just the money.

Is there any way to remove the trim piece around the door handle? If so, and assuming the door uses the lock rod arrangement as in other Caravans, you may be able to use pliers to push the rod towards the back and unlock the door. This is how I initially unlocked the door so I could remove the door panel.

 

[Mopar owner]

Did you use a decent pair of pliers on the rod in order to get enough leverage? It is necessary to use some force when pushing the rod towards the back of the Van. You may have to push the door switch to unlock at the same time as pushing the rod. Fingers crossed.

I think I need to include Pictures. Cause "All" of you think that handle piece is just snapped into place. It's not. Held in my two screws. (Door Closed) you are not accessing those screw heads. You are not opening the door. The Idiots that designed it. Need the crap knocked out of them. Great Safety feature, door doesn't or won't open. Family member trapped. Wonder how many law suits that generated... ???

Have never seen the door trim which was not snap-in one.