1998 Sienna Sliding Door Problems

"Patrick C" wrote in message

> Been having intermittent problems with passenger sliding door since we
> bought the van used, the inside button would stick in but was always able
> to open from the outside, now on our current road trip it's finally broke
> to the point where it won't open at all. Planning to take it to the
> dealer upon our return but was wondering if anyone else had this
> experience.

There were quite a few complaints about rattles and sticking sliding doors
on early Siennas equipped with power sliding doors, but very few with manual
sliding doors.

If you have manual sliding doors, the problem is probably a disconnected or
bent link rod. This can happen when someone tries to slim jim the door or
is something sticky spilled inside the door.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)
 >> Stay informed about: 1998 Sienna Sliding Door Problems 

"Patrick C"...
> Been having intermittent problems with passenger sliding door since we
> bought the van used, the inside button would stick in but was always able
> to open from the outside, now on our current road trip it's finally broke
> to the point where it won't open at all. Planning to take it to the
> dealer upon our return but was wondering if anyone else had this
> experience.
I have this exact problem intermittently on my 98 Sienna. We have never
taken it in to have it fixed, we just have done this and the problem goes
away for a while. It seems to happen when someone does not push the inside
button in far enough (so is the theory of the kids) when opening the door,
but I am not completely convinced of that as I sit in the front and have
never been the one to make it happen.

What we do to fix it is mess with the child lock by flipping it the other
way from what it was, then slamming the door. This pops the button out
usually, and we go for another 20K miles until it mysteriously happens
again. The door will sometimes not close (bounce back open) until we move
the child lock. Sometimes the door closes with the button still pushed in
but pops out after a few miles. Rarely does it stay pushed in for a couple
of door opening cycles.

Otherwise the door operates normally 'all the time'. The Sienna has
194160ish miles on it now.

Now that your door does not open at all I suppose you will need to take it
in and pay a lot. Maybe drive on a really bumpy dirt road a few times to
see if it will shake it out again, open it and try the child lock trick.

Good luck and tell us what you do and find out.
Tomes
 >> Stay informed about: 1998 Sienna Sliding Door Problems 

Friend just suggested using WD40, I sprayed some in the button and the
locking latch (using the little tube), seems to be working now.

"Tomes" wrote in message

> "Patrick C"...
>> Been having intermittent problems with passenger sliding door since we
>> bought the van used, the inside button would stick in but was always able
>> to open from the outside, now on our current road trip it's finally broke
>> to the point where it won't open at all. Planning to take it to the
>> dealer upon our return but was wondering if anyone else had this
>> experience.
> I have this exact problem intermittently on my 98 Sienna. We have never
> taken it in to have it fixed, we just have done this and the problem goes
> away for a while. It seems to happen when someone does not push the
> inside button in far enough (so is the theory of the kids) when opening
> the door, but I am not completely convinced of that as I sit in the front
> and have never been the one to make it happen.
>
> What we do to fix it is mess with the child lock by flipping it the other
> way from what it was, then slamming the door. This pops the button out
> usually, and we go for another 20K miles until it mysteriously happens
> again. The door will sometimes not close (bounce back open) until we move
> the child lock. Sometimes the door closes with the button still pushed in
> but pops out after a few miles. Rarely does it stay pushed in for a
> couple of door opening cycles.
>
> Otherwise the door operates normally 'all the time'. The Sienna has
> 194160ish miles on it now.
>
> Now that your door does not open at all I suppose you will need to take it
> in and pay a lot. Maybe drive on a really bumpy dirt road a few times to
> see if it will shake it out again, open it and try the child lock trick.
>
> Good luck and tell us what you do and find out.
> Tomes
 >> Stay informed about: 1998 Sienna Sliding Door Problems 

I would NEVER use WD 40 as a lubricant.


"Patrick C" wrote in message

> Friend just suggested using WD40, I sprayed some in the button and the
> locking latch (using the little tube), seems to be working now.
>
> "Tomes" wrote in message
>
>> "Patrick C"...
>>> Been having intermittent problems with passenger sliding door since we
>>> bought the van used, the inside button would stick in but was always
>>> able to open from the outside, now on our current road trip it's finally
>>> broke to the point where it won't open at all. Planning to take it to
>>> the dealer upon our return but was wondering if anyone else had this
>>> experience.
>> I have this exact problem intermittently on my 98 Sienna. We have never
>> taken it in to have it fixed, we just have done this and the problem goes
>> away for a while. It seems to happen when someone does not push the
>> inside button in far enough (so is the theory of the kids) when opening
>> the door, but I am not completely convinced of that as I sit in the front
>> and have never been the one to make it happen.
>>
>> What we do to fix it is mess with the child lock by flipping it the other
>> way from what it was, then slamming the door. This pops the button out
>> usually, and we go for another 20K miles until it mysteriously happens
>> again. The door will sometimes not close (bounce back open) until we
>> move the child lock. Sometimes the door closes with the button still
>> pushed in but pops out after a few miles. Rarely does it stay pushed in
>> for a couple of door opening cycles.
>>
>> Otherwise the door operates normally 'all the time'. The Sienna has
>> 194160ish miles on it now.
>>
>> Now that your door does not open at all I suppose you will need to take
>> it in and pay a lot. Maybe drive on a really bumpy dirt road a few times
>> to see if it will shake it out again, open it and try the child lock
>> trick.
>>
>> Good luck and tell us what you do and find out.
>> Tomes
>
 >> Stay informed about: 1998 Sienna Sliding Door Problems 

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 >> Stay informed about: 1998 Sienna Sliding Door Problems 

Cool, thanks for the update. You sprayed it right there in between the
button and the handle, eh? Maybe I will try that. I plan to use something
else, like my current favorite stuff - lithium grease which seems to last
forever. I agree with RI in that WD 40 is more of a contact cleaner and
water displacement tool than a lubricant that one wants to stay put for a
while. If it is all I have I will use it tho.

Keep the child lock thought in your pocket if this happens again and let us
know if that helps you later on.
Tomes

"Patrick C" wrote in message

> Friend just suggested using WD40, I sprayed some in the button and the
> locking latch (using the little tube), seems to be working now.
>
> "Tomes" wrote in message
>
>> "Patrick C"...
>>> Been having intermittent problems with passenger sliding door since we
>>> bought the van used, the inside button would stick in but was always
>>> able to open from the outside, now on our current road trip it's finally
>>> broke to the point where it won't open at all. Planning to take it to
>>> the dealer upon our return but was wondering if anyone else had this
>>> experience.
>> I have this exact problem intermittently on my 98 Sienna. We have never
>> taken it in to have it fixed, we just have done this and the problem goes
>> away for a while. It seems to happen when someone does not push the
>> inside button in far enough (so is the theory of the kids) when opening
>> the door, but I am not completely convinced of that as I sit in the front
>> and have never been the one to make it happen.
>>
>> What we do to fix it is mess with the child lock by flipping it the other
>> way from what it was, then slamming the door. This pops the button out
>> usually, and we go for another 20K miles until it mysteriously happens
>> again. The door will sometimes not close (bounce back open) until we
>> move the child lock. Sometimes the door closes with the button still
>> pushed in but pops out after a few miles. Rarely does it stay pushed in
>> for a couple of door opening cycles.
>>
>> Otherwise the door operates normally 'all the time'. The Sienna has
>> 194160ish miles on it now.
>>
>> Now that your door does not open at all I suppose you will need to take
>> it in and pay a lot. Maybe drive on a really bumpy dirt road a few times
>> to see if it will shake it out again, open it and try the child lock
>> trick.
>>
>> Good luck and tell us what you do and find out.
>> Tomes
>
 >> Stay informed about: 1998 Sienna Sliding Door Problems 

"Tomes" wrote in message

> Cool, thanks for the update. You sprayed it right there in between the
> button and the handle, eh? Maybe I will try that. I plan to use
> something else, like my current favorite stuff - lithium grease which
> seems to last forever. I agree with RI in that WD 40 is more of a contact
> cleaner and water displacement tool than a lubricant that one wants to
> stay put for a while. If it is all I have I will use it tho.
>
> Keep the child lock thought in your pocket if this happens again and let
> us know if that helps you later on.
> Tomes
>

I think lithium grease will make a mess of the button and eventually thicken
enough to make things worse. Try silicone spray or bicycle chain lubricant.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)
 >> Stay informed about: 1998 Sienna Sliding Door Problems 

It works well to free sticky mechanisms, but once the mechanism is freed,
the WD40 has to be cleaned out and replaced with a real lubricant.



"Reasoned Insanity" wrote in message

>I would NEVER use WD 40 as a lubricant.
>
>
> "Patrick C" wrote in message
>
>> Friend just suggested using WD40, I sprayed some in the button and the
>> locking latch (using the little tube), seems to be working now.
>>
>> "Tomes" wrote in message
>>
>>> "Patrick C"...
>>>> Been having intermittent problems with passenger sliding door since we
>>>> bought the van used, the inside button would stick in but was always
>>>> able to open from the outside, now on our current road trip it's
>>>> finally broke to the point where it won't open at all. Planning to
>>>> take it to the dealer upon our return but was wondering if anyone else
>>>> had this experience.
>>> I have this exact problem intermittently on my 98 Sienna. We have never
>>> taken it in to have it fixed, we just have done this and the problem
>>> goes away for a while. It seems to happen when someone does not push
>>> the inside button in far enough (so is the theory of the kids) when
>>> opening the door, but I am not completely convinced of that as I sit in
>>> the front and have never been the one to make it happen.
>>>
>>> What we do to fix it is mess with the child lock by flipping it the
>>> other way from what it was, then slamming the door. This pops the
>>> button out usually, and we go for another 20K miles until it
>>> mysteriously happens again. The door will sometimes not close (bounce
>>> back open) until we move the child lock. Sometimes the door closes with
>>> the button still pushed in but pops out after a few miles. Rarely does
>>> it stay pushed in for a couple of door opening cycles.
>>>
>>> Otherwise the door operates normally 'all the time'. The Sienna has
>>> 194160ish miles on it now.
>>>
>>> Now that your door does not open at all I suppose you will need to take
>>> it in and pay a lot. Maybe drive on a really bumpy dirt road a few
>>> times to see if it will shake it out again, open it and try the child
>>> lock trick.
>>>
>>> Good luck and tell us what you do and find out.
>>> Tomes
>>
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: 1998 Sienna Sliding Door Problems 

"Ray O" ...
> "Tomes" ...
>> Cool, thanks for the update. You sprayed it right there in between the
>> button and the handle, eh? Maybe I will try that. I plan to use
>> something else, like my current favorite stuff - lithium grease which
>> seems to last forever. I agree with RI in that WD 40 is more of a
>> contact cleaner and water displacement tool than a lubricant that one
>> wants to stay put for a while. If it is all I have I will use it tho.
>>
>> Keep the child lock thought in your pocket if this happens again and let
>> us know if that helps you later on.
>> Tomes
>>
>
> I think lithium grease will make a mess of the button and eventually
> thicken enough to make things worse. Try silicone spray or bicycle chain
> lubricant.

OK thanks!
Tomes
 >> Stay informed about: 1998 Sienna Sliding Door Problems 

"Tomes" wrote in message

> "Ray O" ...
>> "Tomes" ...
>>> Cool, thanks for the update. You sprayed it right there in between the
>>> button and the handle, eh? Maybe I will try that. I plan to use
>>> something else, like my current favorite stuff - lithium grease which
>>> seems to last forever. I agree with RI in that WD 40 is more of a
>>> contact cleaner and water displacement tool than a lubricant that one
>>> wants to stay put for a while. If it is all I have I will use it tho.
>>>
>>> Keep the child lock thought in your pocket if this happens again and let
>>> us know if that helps you later on.
>>> Tomes
>>>
>>
>> I think lithium grease will make a mess of the button and eventually
>> thicken enough to make things worse. Try silicone spray or bicycle chain
>> lubricant.
>
> OK thanks!
> Tomes

You're welcome!
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)
 >> Stay informed about: 1998 Sienna Sliding Door Problems 

The WD40 did seem to help for just a little while, I too will try silicone
spray or bicycle chain lubricant.

"Tomes" wrote in message

> "Ray O" ...
>> "Tomes" ...
>>> Cool, thanks for the update. You sprayed it right there in between the
>>> button and the handle, eh? Maybe I will try that. I plan to use
>>> something else, like my current favorite stuff - lithium grease which
>>> seems to last forever. I agree with RI in that WD 40 is more of a
>>> contact cleaner and water displacement tool than a lubricant that one
>>> wants to stay put for a while. If it is all I have I will use it tho.
>>>
>>> Keep the child lock thought in your pocket if this happens again and let
>>> us know if that helps you later on.
>>> Tomes
>>>
>>
>> I think lithium grease will make a mess of the button and eventually
>> thicken enough to make things worse. Try silicone spray or bicycle chain
>> lubricant.
>
> OK thanks!
> Tomes
 >> Stay informed about: 1998 Sienna Sliding Door Problems 

"Patrick C" wrote in message

> The WD40 did seem to help for just a little while, I too will try
> silicone spray or bicycle chain lubricant.
>
> "Tomes" wrote in message
>
>> "Ray O" ...
>>> "Tomes" ...
>>>> Cool, thanks for the update. You sprayed it right there in between the
>>>> button and the handle, eh? Maybe I will try that. I plan to use
>>>> something else, like my current favorite stuff - lithium grease which
>>>> seems to last forever. I agree with RI in that WD 40 is more of a
>>>> contact cleaner and water displacement tool than a lubricant that one
>>>> wants to stay put for a while. If it is all I have I will use it tho.
>>>>
>>>> Keep the child lock thought in your pocket if this happens again and
>>>> let us know if that helps you later on.
>>>> Tomes
>>>>
>>>
>>> I think lithium grease will make a mess of the button and eventually
>>> thicken enough to make things worse. Try silicone spray or bicycle
>>> chain lubricant.
>>
>> OK thanks!
>> Tomes
>

The advantage of bicycle chain lubricant is that they are designed to not
pick up a lot of dirt, which tends to gum things up.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)
 >> Stay informed about: 1998 Sienna Sliding Door Problems