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2012 Dodge Caravan Sliding door issue.


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White Trash CVP
User

Jul 11, 2021, 7:27 PM

Post #1 of 6 (2975 views)
  post locked   2012 Dodge Caravan Sliding door issue.  

I just replaced the passenger side sliding door lower track and motor/cable assembly in a '12 Caravan with a new part.

The original problem was straightforward - the cable had broken.

The door now opens properly with the key fob, overhead buttons, or pulling the handle - that is, it is properly driven to full open by the motor.

However, none of the above will initiate the close cycle - the door will only close manually, although it will "pull in" properly when closed.

If the door is in some random position between closed and full open, pressing the button will open it fully.

I tried leaving the door half open and disconnecting the battery, reconnecting, then pulling it closed hoping it would "learn". No change.

I don't believe in coincidences .. a separate problem in a system I just messed with. But I don't see how I could have screwed it up either.

I see no mechanical (switch) means for the door to know it's at full open position .. so I'm assuming the motor has an encoder and the module behind the track deals with position based on pulse count.

The module is original - it was swapped onto the new track assembly (two plugs).

The plastic schlep and harness going to the door appear in good order. I've checked the positions of child locks, etc. I checked and cleaned the contacts of the two module plugs, and the two plugs behind the pass side rocker (module power and presumably canbus, and the door harness plug.)

I have no means to scan body modules.

Any clues? The fact that it works perfectly in one direction makes me think I'm missing something simple.

Thanks, Jim.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jul 11, 2021, 11:09 PM

Post #2 of 6 (2965 views)
  post locked   Re: 2012 Dodge Caravan Sliding door issue.  

1st and maybe said it before. Easy on that user name? It can be changed with no change in your being here.


To the Caravan:
Found broken cable now and my whole life famous Mopar's genius and dumb as a smelt with anything electrical.
I'd first make sure rollers and alignment of those silly side doors no human has ever perfected in fact roll and are lubed now about 10 years way overdue for 4X a year lubing those mystical contraptions. If you don't do that and prior owner if any this is the consequence.


Body code reading if possible cave in and find a place it's info to something. I see mechanical is my thing more too much to these doors need mechanical switches to know if and where they are when prompted by failed remotes by now!


Plain look for wear of lack of doors in track such that sensors know what the heck to do already an non lubeable cable gave out so will other creature features in these and others too,


T



Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Jul 12, 2021, 5:43 AM

Post #3 of 6 (2951 views)
  post locked   Re: 2012 Dodge Caravan Sliding door issue.  

There is a TSB on this issue that indicates reprogramming the module is in order but try this first.


POWER SLIDING DOOR LEARN CYCLE

NOTE:
Any time a power sliding door component is removed, replaced, door adjustment is performed or diagnostic trouble codes are addressed and erased, a learn cycle must be performed.

The power sliding door learn cycle enables the power sliding door control module to learn or relearn critical information (travel limits, resistance to door travel, door position, etc.) which allows the system to perform properly and safely. To perform a power sliding door learn cycle do the following:

Obtain an appropriate scan tool.
Connect the scan tool to the vehicle and check for any power sliding door system stored trouble codes, correct and erase any stored codes.
Close effected sliding door.
Using the scan tool, select the Power Sliding Door Control Module (PSDM) Menu, More Options, System Tests and select the Open Door Test.
Using the scan tool check “routine status” for a pass or fail message. If the Open Door Test did not pass, the scan tool will display the reason to aid in system diagnosis or rerunning the Open Door Test routine.
Using the scan tool, select the Power Sliding Door Control Module (PSDM) Menu, More Options, System Tests and select the Close Door Test.
Using the scan tool check “routine status” for a pass or fail message. If the Close Door Test did not pass, the scan tool will display the reason to aid in system diagnosis or rerunning the Close Door Test routine.
Follow the instructions on the scan tool to complete the test.
The power sliding door learn cycle is complete.

NOTE:
If the power sliding door will not complete a full cycle a problem exists in the power sliding door system.

In order to obtain conclusive testing of the power sliding door system, the Controller Area Network (CAN) data bus, and all of the electronic modules that provide inputs to, or receive outputs from the power sliding door system components must be checked. Any diagnosis of the power sliding door system should begin with the use of a scan tool and the appropriate diagnostic service information.







TSB


BODY - POWER SLIDING DOOR WON'T CLOSE/CLICKING NOISES
NUMBER: 08-059-12

GROUP: Electrical

DATE: October 23, 2012

THIS BULLETIN SUPERSEDES SERVICE BULLETIN 08-045-11, DATED AUGUST 04.
2011 WHICH SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM YOUR FILES. THIS IS A COMPLETE
REVISION AND NO ASTERISKS HAVE BEEN USED TO HIGHLIGHT REVISIONS.
HELP USING THE wiTECH DIAGNOSTIC APPLICATION FOR FLASHING AN ECU IS
AVAILABLE BY SELECTING "HELP" THEN "HELP CONTENTS" AT THE TOP OF
THE wiTECH DIAGNOSTIC APPLICATION WINDOW.

THE wiTECH SOFTWARE LEVEL MUST BE AT RELEASE 13.01 OR HIGHER TO
PERFORM THIS PROCEDURE.

SUBJECT:
Flash: Power Sliding Door Will Not Power Close And Makes A Clicking Noise

OVERVIEW:
This bulletin involves re-flashing the Power Sliding Door Module (PSDM) with updated software.

MODELS:

2011 (RT) Town and Country/Caravan 2012 (RT) Town and Country/Caravan 2013 (RT) Town and Country/Caravan

NOTE:
This bulletin applies to vehicles built prior to October 13, 2012 (MDH 1013XX) equipped with Right and left Power Sliding Doors (sales code JRA/JRB).

SYMPTOM/CONDITION:

Customers may experience that the power sliding door will not power close. The sliding door will be stuck in the open position and the motor will make a clicking noise. There are no stored Diagnostic Trouble codes (DTC's) in the power sliding door module for this issue. This will happen when the PSDM loses the position counts. The sliding door will close manually using the inside or outside door handle. Flashing the PSDM will correct this condition.

DIAGNOSIS:

1.Using a Scan Tool (wiTECH) with the appropriate Diagnostic Procedures available in TechCONNECT, verify no DTC's are set. If DTCs are present record them on the repair order and repair as necessary before proceeding further with this bulletin.

2.Using a Scan Tool (wiTECH) check the part number of the PSDM.

3.Is the PSDM part number 68079909AA?
a. Yes >>> Proceed to repair procedure, Step # 1.
b. NO >>> This bulletin doesn't pertain and normal diagnostic should be performed.

If the customer describes the symptom, perform the Repair Procedure.

REPAIR PROCEDURE:

NOTE:
Install a battery charger to ensure battery voltage does not drop below 13.2 volts. Do not allow the charging voltage to climb above 13.5 volts during the flash process.

NOTE:
If this flash process is interrupted/aborted, the flash should be restarted.

1.Flash reprogram the PSDM. Help using the wiTECH Diagnostic Application for flashing the PSDM is made available through the wiTECH Diagnostic Application. For instructions select the "HELP" tab on upper portion of the wiTECH window, then "HELP CONTENTS." This will open the Welcome to wiTECH Help screen where help topics can be selected.

2.Has the PSDM part number update to 68079909AB?
a. Yes >>> Proceed to Step # 3.
b. NO >>> The module needs to be reprogrammed again. Proceed to the repair procedure, Step # 1.

NOTE:
If the PSDM has been flashed a number of times then this bulletin doesn't pertain and further diagnostics need to be performed.

3.Has both PSDM's been updated with the latest software?
a. Yes >>> Proceed to Step # 4.
b. No >>> Perform flash on the other PSDM, proceed to the repair procedure, Step # 1.

4.Clear any DTC's that may have been set in other modules due to reprogramming. The wiTECH application will automatically present all DTCs after the flash and allow the tech to clear them.

5.Perform the power sliding door relearn procedure in TechCONNECT, 08 - Electrical/8N - Power Systems/Power Sliding Door/Standard Procedure, POWER SLIDING DOOR LEARN CYCLE.

POLICY:
Reimbursable within the provisions of the warranty.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Jul 12, 2021, 5:46 AM)


White Trash CVP
User

Jul 12, 2021, 10:04 AM

Post #4 of 6 (2935 views)
  post locked   Re: 2012 Dodge Caravan Sliding door issue.  

Oh, didn't realize it had derogatory connotations. My '07 CVP is white - and it's trash.

Of course living out here in the country with 7 dogs, a bus on the lawn, and 3 cars on blocks .. fits me as well. I'll see about editing it.


White Trash CVP
User

Jul 12, 2021, 10:09 AM

Post #5 of 6 (2933 views)
  post locked   Re: 2012 Dodge Caravan Sliding door issue.  

Hammer, thanks.

Found the issue .. the van had a Braun (accessibility equipment) chassis "gateway" module installed which for some reason was messing with the close only signal.


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Jul 12, 2021, 10:13 AM

Post #6 of 6 (2931 views)
  post locked   Re: 2012 Dodge Caravan Sliding door issue.  

Glad you found the problem

Closing this now as solved.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.







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