2001 Montana Power sliding door problem

Was wondering if anyone has had trouble with there power sliding door??
Mine was working fine till I got home today.... it unlatches but does not move... When I move the door back manually I see a cable... anyone no how these work or how I can fix???? any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks
Freightrain

There is a recall on the auto sliding door

What was the recall for??????

I really don't know. You can call your dealer to find out. I have 2000 Pontiac Montana. I remember that after I bough the van, there was a auto sliding door recall. I sent in and got fixed. But last month I drove to NYC, the van had a small problem, I sent to a local dealer I was told that the van had no problem, but they found a recall on sliding door, so they did it for me for free. I don't know these were same recalls or two different recalls.

I have a 2000 Montana and have had the recall on the power slider done 2 times. The door has been fine until about a month ago. I was driving my kids home from soccer practice last night, first the door would not open. Made a left hand turn to go up a hill, the door slide open and scared my daughter half to death. If she had not been in her seatbelt with the arms of the bucket seat down, she would have been thrown out if the van. Here is the bulletin I found on line tonight: http://www.autoweb.lycos.com/content/own/service/index.cfm/action/RecallsView/seriesid/13942
Needless to say, it is at the dealer to be fixed tomorrow.

YA, my 2000 has been in the shop 5 times for the passenger power sliding door. Two for recall and three for problems. The recalls had to do with dkreg's post, the latch not being secure and the door opening. So much for the recall. My door broke a guide roller once, which made it jerk and lertch as it opened/closed. It also broke an electrical wire in the sytem somewhere, which the dealer traced down and fixed. It also was not working right and turned out to just need to be lubed. Don't ask where, I couldn't tell ya. Very poor design in my opinion. I would gladly take a reliable and safe manual door any day of the week over this piece of junk. I asked my dealer if it could be converted and he said no. Pontiac cares said the samething. They said when the power part breaks down it defaults to a manual door. Bull s**t. Tell that to dkreg. Its much harder to open/close AND the latch is still partially automatic, which is part of the problem. Terrible design. There are many complaints listed on NHTSA web site now and there is an open investigation right now, see below:

NHTSA Action Number : PE04064 NHTSA Recall Campaign Number : N/A
Make : PONTIAC Model: MONTANA
Manufacturer : GENERAL MOTORS CORP. Year : 2000
Component : STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
Date Investigation Opened : September 17, 2004
Date Investigation Closed : Open
Summary:
MY 1998 THROUGH 2004 GM U-VAN (CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE AND PONTIAC TRANSPORT/MONTANA) VEHICLES ARE AVAILABLE WITH AN OPTIONAL POWER SLIDING DOOR. THE INTERIOR HANDLE OF THE DOOR IS ORIENTED IN THE VERTICAL POSITION, IS RECESSED INTO THE INTERIOR DOOR PANEL, AND IS AT THE SAME VERTICAL LEVEL AS THE MIDDLE ROW SEAT BACK. COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT THE POWER SLIDING DOOR CAN INJURE THE MIDDLE-ROW OUTBOARD SEAT OCCUPANT'S WRIST IF THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE IS HELD WITH THE HAND DURING THE POWERED OPENING SEQUENCE AND THE ELBOW BECOMES JAMMED INTO THE SEAT BACK. NHTSA HAS RECEIVED 21 COMPLAINTS ALLEGING 19 ARM/WRIST INJURIES DUE TO THE POWERED DOOR OPENING. THESE INCLUDE ALLEGATIONS OF 13 BROKEN BONES IN THE ARM/WRIST AREA REQUIRING A CAST AND/OR SURGERY


DKreg, I hope you file a complaint on NHTSA web site. Its pretty easy to do. Its only going to get fixed one of two ways, enough people get hurt, or enough complaints (near misses) are filed.

Keith

Keith,

I have actually filed a complant with NHSTA Division of Recall Investigation yesterday, faxed all my paperwork to them who in turn has been in contact with GM. GM had the paperwork faxed to them as soon as NHSTA received it. I then call BBB and filed an arbitration against GM! GM later in the day contacted NHSTA and asked if my van was at the dealer. A GM Zone Rep look at my van today, and they were able to duplicate the door not opening and a grinding noise from the motor. At least they know there is a problem, I wish they were able to see the door FLY OPEN! Next week a GM Inspector is coming to look at the van and the dealer is providing me with a loaner car. If you want the name and number of the NHSTA person I will gladly give it to whomever wants to contact him. He said that there have been LOTS of complaints regarding the non working recall!

Kara

Good deal. Nice to see you taking the initiative. My little babies, 2, 4 and still unborn have to use this van for a while and I am not comfortable with the power sliding door at all. Of course they are always buckled in, but still, its not safe.

Keith

Keith,

I have since received a call from GM, they did receive my complaint from BBB and are concerned that I have had so many issues with the door! They are going to follow up with me on Tuesday Afternoon to keep me updated on the progress. I guess I got their attention. The guy at NHTSA Defects Investigation Department is Larry Long 202-366-6281. He is very nice and very concerned with the saftey of these vans. He will be out until Tuesday, give him a call and let him know that I told you to call. Good Luck! Kara

Because I have not had a safety problem personally with my van, I don't feel right contacting NHTSA. I have had the door to the shop many times, as I noted, and am not happy with it, but I feel at this point, that is more between me and GM. If I ever have anything funny happen with the door (safety wise), you can be assured that NHTSA will be notified.

Keith