Sliding Door - motor keeps whirring - suggestions pls

[Simon Jones]

I had problem where the sliding door wouldn't open at all. After some gentle thumping in the vicinity of the door pillar contacts, it came back to life & started working. I've removed both parts of the contacts, cleaned them thoroughly, soldered over the crimped wires to ensure reliable connection & re-assembled. The sliding contacts work perfectly & the contacts are spotless. The problem now is that while I'm driving along, the door motor keeps whirring & cycling through the closure process. The only thing I haven't looked at yet is the microswitch at the the top rear of the door. Does anyone know if this switch is what it uses to determine it is in the closed position? It is activated by a cam that is pulled by the motor-driven cable & its the only thing left I haven't tried, I'm hoping it must be the cause.

Anyone got any suggestions? I've read the factsheet & followed most of the guidance, but still the problem persists. Many thanks.

[helen&tony]

Hi
Mine does that from time to time, and apparently clean contacts are usually the cause. if there's any lubricant/ WD40 or anything else on the contacts, they fail . I wipe them with a cloth, and rub them over with a finger and they work again without fail...I'm not saying that will work, but anything is worth a try
Cheers
Helen

[Simon Jones]

After a bit more investigation, I've found that the microswitch by the locking mechanism at the top rear of the door is definitely what triggers the motor, rather than pillar contacts touching. However, as these are what delivers the power to the door, a dodgy contact will certainly stop the motor running.

When the door is closed such that the catch does the first click, a lever presses on the switch & this activates the motor. The switch has 3 wires: common, normally open & normally closed. It buzzes out fine with a multimeter. I've given it a squirt of switch cleaner, but it appears to be a sealed unit, so not expecting much (if any) to make it inside. The lead from this connects to the control unit in the middle of the door. This has 2 other connectors: a couple of power wires from the pillar spring contacts & the power out to the motor. The other wires from the pillar contact go up to the central locking motor. All connections have been re-seated & are clean & tight so hopefully it will settle down now.

If it still misbehaves, I'll dismantle the control box to look for dry joints. Fingers crossed

[matski_98]

Sorry to hijack your thread but.......your side door has a open and close motor????

Do all Bongo's have this? My 98 AFT doesn't (I don't think).

[Simon Jones]

The motor is just there to assist with the last part of closing, by pulling it in against the rubber seal. I believe it was standard on most Bongos. I've never come across one without a door closer, but I believe there are some around. Not sure if it related to whether you have electric or manual blinds? Check if you have a fuse in position 17 on the fusebox by the drivers right knee.

[westonwarrior]

Check your door contacts if there are 2 or 3 you dont have the door motor, 5 and you do

[matski_98]

Yeah I've got 5, but some of them are stuck in. I'll hose the area down with WD40 and see if I can get it working again. Thanks

[jaylee]

Yeah I've got 5, but some of them are stuck in. I'll hose the area down with WD40 and see if I can get it working again. Thanks

Matski, The 3rd & 4th pins counting down from the top should (are meant to be) static/set back from the sprung two top ones, & the sprung 5th at the bottom..!
Basically, only 3 out of 5 are designed to push in with the sliding door.

[catzi]

Sorry to hijack your thread but.......your side door has a open and close motor????

Do all Bongo's have this? My 98 AFT doesn't (I don't think).

Yes but it's not a fully electric door i.e. open and close. It just prevents you having to slam the door shut i.e. a gentle close enough to make electrical contact then the door shuts electrically.

Also, it doesn't stop people from slamming it shut anyway (like the missus -no matter how often I tell her)!!

[Alacrity]

I have electric blinds but only the 'standard' assisted door closing. Not powered all the way.

[matski_98]

Yeah I've got 5, but some of them are stuck in. I'll hose the area down with WD40 and see if I can get it working again. Thanks

Matski, The 3rd & 4th pins counting down from the top should (are meant to be) static/set back from the sprung two top ones, & the sprung 5th at the bottom..!
Basically, only 3 out of 5 are designed to push in with the sliding door.

Thanks. I worked that out when I unscrewed the unit to see what was making it stick!

Despite more poking and prodding I couldn't get it to do anything. What position is the switch on the door mean't to be in?

[Simon Jones]

What position is the switch on the door mean't to be in?

It's the child lock to prevent opening from inside. Can't recall which position is which, but it's a 50 / 50 chance - you only flip it accidentally once .

[mikeonb4c]

What position is the switch on the door mean't to be in?

It's the child lock to prevent opening from inside. Can't recall which position is which, but it's a 50 / 50 chance - you only flip it accidentally once .

I got a red permanent marker and a blue permanent marker and coloured in the suqares on the sticker to remind me which is on (red) and which is off (blue). Unlike Simon, I've done it many times (usually when someone has cuaght it I think on entering the car. I put tape over it, but before long it punched a hole through it Hasn't happened for a while now - kids must be getting bigger and more careful.