Technical Sliding Door

[SouthMark50]

Hi All
I have a strange issue that I am hoping someone can point me in the right direction with

On the sliding door when unlocked I cannot open the sliding door from the outside handle only the inside handle will open the door
But once the door has been opened once from the inside handle I can then open from the outside handle every time

Any ideas/Advice

Thanks

Mark

 

[bugsymike]

Hi All
I have a strange issue that I am hoping someone can point me in the right direction with

On the sliding door when unlocked I cannot open the sliding door from the outside handle only the inside handle will open the door
But once the door has been opened once from the inside handle I can then open from the outside handle every time

Any ideas/Advice

Thanks

Mark

Possibly with the inner panel off you may find the release cable is a bit slack or the outer handle is not moving quite enough , possible having been strained in the past.

 

[SouthMark50]

Possibly with the inner panel off you may find the release cable is a bit slack or the outer handle is not moving quite enough , possible having been strained in the past.

Hi which cable is the release cable please (I have the panel off) so can access all the cables

 

[bugsymike]

Hi which cable is the release cable please (I have the panel off) so can access all the cables

The one from the external handle, if you have the panel off send a photo.

 

[SouthMark50]

The one from the external handle, if you have the panel off send a photo.

Thanks Mike will do this tomorrow. Would also be good to know how you can tighten the cables

 

[bugsymike]

Thanks Mike will do this tomorrow. Would also be good to know how you can tighten the cables

They may not be adjustable, it is more a case of seeing where the effort is being lost, if it is at the door handle the you may need to fit a new one, in some cases where the lock is there is a metal link rod which may be bent slightly to shorten it.
With door partly open I sometimes lock the door catch using a screwdriver or similar so that I can see when it releases, however remember to release before slamming the door otherwise you will damage the lock!

 

[AsdaPricey]

Hello

I recently dismantled the whole system on the side door of my 2008 Ducato during cold weather as one cable kept seizing during a frost and gave the same symptoms as you have, outer handle inoperative - I found that the main latch had been treated with too much white grease by the previous owner which in turn became too stiff in cold weather and prevented the latch components from moving properly. I cured that by flushing out with electrical contact cleaner and once dry using light oil on the pivot points - but with current weather that will be unlikely your issue although there is potential for a seized component in the latch itself.
What I noted was that by removing the outer door handle and looking into the back of it, I could see the cables from handle to main latch and by disconnecting the cable that was actuated by the outer handle I could feel resistance in it which pointed me to the main latch.That cable runs along the centre of the door to the latch.
The cable for the inner handle runs parallel but above with the outer handle cable however it has two functions (opening and locking) & is connected to a different part of the main latch hence why you can open it from inside still.
There’s another cable that runs from the main latch to the upper hook latch - unlikely to be your issue.

There’s only one other cable left which is at the lower front catch - it can be adjusted via the grooves on the end of its ferrule - again that will be unlikely be the cause of your issue.

I also managed to inadvertently cause the main latch to be jammed when reassembling everything as unbeknownst I’d caught the outer latch cable connection as I pushed the main latch back into the door frame - so bear that in mind if you’ve recently had the latch out.

HTH

 

[bugsymike]

As @AsdaPricey mentions, the latch /lock assembly is worth looking at, for the reasons he mentioned and also if the electric solenoid side of it is weak in unlocking.
Does yours release from the inside handle as a safety measure even when locked as that may account for it opening from inside but not externally.
The reason I mention this is, I had a similar fault on a Citroen C3 Picasso and had to replace the latch/lock assembly with the wires on it.
Like him I prefer proper oil to spray grease.

 

[SouthMark50]

As @AsdaPricey mentions, the latch /lock assembly is worth looking at, for the reasons he mentioned and also if the electric solenoid side of it is weak in unlocking.
Does yours release from the inside handle as a safety measure even when locked as that may account for it opening from inside but not externally.
The reason I mention this is, I had a similar fault on a Citroen C3 Picasso and had to replace the latch/lock assembly with the wires on it.
Like him I prefer proper oil to spray grease.

 

[SouthMark50]

Thanks both will take a look and send some pictures when back home…. Thanks again

 

[SouthMark50]

Thanks both will take a look and send some pictures when back home…. Thanks again

 

[SouthMark50]

See above picture. In answer to the other question when locked you can still open from the inside (assuming this is a safety feature) as mentioned

 

[AsdaPricey]

Hello

On mine the lower one in your picture is the outer handle main latch cable.
Disconnect it from handle and latch and make sure it moves freely - when removing, start at the handle. If the Bowden cable appears too long and is trying to loop up and out of the aperture the issue is at the main latch.

 

[bugsymike]

See above picture. In answer to the other question when locked you can still open from the inside (assuming this is a safety feature) as mentioned

If no luck with cables and oiling then it may mean a new electrical door catch.
See if banging door in that area as activating unlock button makes it work, this would again indicate a dodgy electrical lock.

 

[SouthMark50]

If no luck with cables and oiling then it may mean a new electrical door catch.
See if banging door in that area as activating unlock button makes it work, this would again indicate a dodgy electrical lock.

Yes banging the door definitely makes it open

 

[bugsymike]

Yes banging the door definitely makes it open

Try oiling, but may end up with new catch/lock.

 

[SouthMark50]

Try oiling, but may end up with new catch/lock.

Thanks

 

[SouthMark50]

Try oiling, but may end up with new catch/lock.

Any idea what this part looks like or a link to where I could purchase please?