2006 Dodge Caravan Power Sliding Door Switch Replacement Cost

Power sliding doors that open and close automatically are included on most vans today. These side doors are triggered by a signal from a button on the key fob or from a switch inside the vehicle.

When the Body Control Module (a small computer that monitors and controls dozens of vehicle body functions) senses a signal from the sliding door switch (or from the key fob), it gets to work organizing the operations of the door. A group of relays and actuators unlock and unlatch the door. Then the sliding door motor uses a mechanized system of cables, chains, and rollers to move the door along tracks in the side of the van. When the door has opened or closed all the way, the motor is turned off and the door is either locked open or latched shut. It can be a fairly complex operation, all at the press of a button.

When the power sliding door switch is failing or goes bad, it will either cause the door to open and close intermittently, or it will not work at all. In some cases, a defective switch might cause the door to open or close suddenly and unexpectedly. If the sliding door does not open or close when the switch is pressed, or if it opens on its own, there are several possible explanations. A bad switch is one possible cause.

In most cases, a power sliding door can be opened and closed manually if the switch is bad. In this case, the van can be driven. If, for some reason, a door will not close all the way, the vehicle should not be driven until the problem is inspected and repaired. Similarly, if the switch is defective and causes the door to open or close unexpectedly, not as a result of any driver action (such as bumping the switch accidentally), the vehicle should not be driven.

The tiny electrical contacts inside a power sliding door switch can wear out over time and a switch can go bad. These switches, however, are supposed to last the lifetime of the vehicle, so they do not have a regular maintenance schedule. Their lifespan can depend on the year, make, and model of the vehicle as well as the amount of use it sees.

If a technician suspects that a power sliding door switch is bad, the first step is to check the operation of the door with the key fob. Some power sliding door motors are also actuated with the door handles. A technician will try to open and close the door automatically with the handles. If they work, but the switch does not, the switch is probably bad. A technician will also remove the switch from its mounting location and make sure that voltage is present at the connector. If voltage is present, the switch might be tested for resistance. A scan of the Body Control Module might also be done to check for fault codes.

The power sliding door switch can either be located on the inside of the "B-pillar" between the sliding door and the front door, set into the dashboard, or mounted in an overhead console. It is sometimes in a cluster of switches, and there is usually one switch for each sliding door. The procedure to replace a switch will differ depending on the location, but in general, a technician will use a trim removal tool to carefully pry away the trim around the switch or switch assembly and remove any fasteners that hold it in place. The switches are unplugged from the wire harness and the bad switch is removed from the assembly to be replaced with a new one. The switch assembly is reinstalled, as is the trim panel. The door is run through a cycle to make sure that it relearns its function.

RepairPal recommends that a driver become thoroughly familiar with the operation of a power sliding door to prevent injury to passengers and to avoid a trip to the repair shop for normal functions of the system. There are some normal circumstances that might make a power sliding door motor seem to malfunction. For instance, on some vans, if the fuel door is left open, the sliding door on the same side of the vehicle is disabled so that it will not strike the fuel door. And, if a van with power sliding doors is shifted out of park, the power sliding feature will not work. In this case, an alarm tone is usually heard to signal the driver that a door is still open while the vehicle is moving. There is also a lockout switch that is intended to disable a power sliding door. It may be located in a different place than the switch that controls the door.

Malfunctions with power sliding doors can lead to injury. Symptoms will generally worsen with time and further damage can result if the problem is left untreated.

Replacement of a switch is probably the simplest and least expensive repair that can be done to a power sliding door. Someone with intermediate DIY experience could tackle the job, as long as the problem has been properly diagnosed.