Symptoms of a Bad or Faulty Power Sliding Door Assembly

Common signs include sliding doors that won't open, noise coming from the door, and metal-on-metal grinding when the door is opened and closed.

Vehicles with rear sliding windows, such as minivans, have a power sliding door that automatically controls their operation. The motor assembly allows the doors to open and close with a quick push of a button. The button is usually located on the driver's side door for easy parental access, and in many cases on the rear window itself for rear seat passengers to select it. However, there are safety locks that can also be activated by the driver to protect children from window controls.

The sliding door assembly is typically attached to two independent rear sliding doors that open and close when activated by the control module. They are subject to wear and tear, like any mechanical motor, but can also break due to traffic accidents or improper use of control buttons. When they wear out or break, they will show several warning signs of failure.

Listed below are some of the common symptoms of a malfunction or failure of the sliding door assembly. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should see a certified mechanic as soon as possible to repair the damage or replace the sliding door assembly if necessary.

1. Sliding doors won't open

There are usually two sliding rear window control buttons, one on the driver's side door and one on the back where the window is located. If you press any button, the sliding door should open and close. An obvious warning sign that there is a problem with the sliding door assembly is that the door does not open when the buttons are pressed. If the sliding door assembly is broken or damaged, you will still be able to operate the door manually. This warning sign can also be caused by a short in the wiring system, a problem with the buttons, or a blown fuse.

While the door can still function, it does make life a bit more difficult. If your door won't open at the push of a button, have a professional mechanic replace the sliding door assembly, or have them inspect the car to make sure it's the right problem to fix.

2. Door noise

When the sliding door assembly is damaged, the window will usually break off its hinges and be free to move inside the side compartment. When this happens, the window will make noise every time it hits the assembly. If you recognize this warning sign, it is very important to contact a mechanic as soon as possible to resolve the problem. If not repaired, the window may shatter inside the side compartment, leading in some cases to costly repairs and removal of the broken glass.

If the engine assembly begins to wear out, you may also hear a low noise coming from the window, as if the engine is struggling. This is usually due to the window being pulled or caught on something that restricts the engine from being able to close or open the window freely.

If you hear a grinding sound coming from your sliding door when it opens or closes, then your power door assembly is starting to wear out quickly. If you find this problem quickly, the sliding door assembly can be repaired. This sound can also cause your window to get stuck and take some time to close it, which can be a problem.

The sliding door motor assembly is a part that will not normally break or wear out over the lifetime of your vehicle. However, frequent use, misuse of buttons, or traffic accidents may cause damage. If you notice any of the warning signs listed above, contact your mechanic to investigate the problem in more detail.