Sliding Door: Description and Operation
Fig.1 Power Sliding Door Introduction:
Fig.2 Key Fob:
POWER SLIDING DOOR SYSTEM
Some vehicles are equipped with a power opening and closing sliding door system. Depending on how the vehicle is ordered it may be equipped with only a right side power door or right and left side power doors. This power sliding door system is a complex system consisting of many components. Some of these components are the door motor, latch assembly, sliding door control module, lower drive unit, flex drive assembly, wire harness and track, lower drive unit track and rack assembly, full open switch, B-pillar switch, overhead console switch, key fob switches, pawl switch, ratchet switch and child lockout and handle switches.
Each power side door has its own door control module, located in the center of the door behind the door trim panel. (Refer to ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULES/DOOR CONTROL MODULE - DESCRIPTION) The power side door motor is located in the front portion of the door, on the inner door panel sheet metal. The latch assembly is located in the rear of the power side door, near the body line. The lower drive unit is attached to the lower door hinge. The flex drive assembly connects the door motor to the lower drive unit. The wire harness and track and the lower drive unit track are visible with the door open in the lower door sill area. The power side door full open switch is located under the lower drive unit and is part of the hold open latch assembly. The pawl, ratchet, handle and child lockout switches are all located on the power side door latch assembly. The B-pillar switch, as it will be referred to, is an open and close command switch located on the vehicles interior body side B-pillar trim. The overhead console switch, is an open and close command switch located in the vehicle's overhead console. More detailed information can be found on these components.
Fig.3 Power Side Door Fuse Location:
Safety is of the utmost concern with the power sliding door system. Software technology has enabled the power sliding door control module to detect resistance to door travel. This allows the power sliding door to stop and reverse direction any time an obstruction is felt or any of the command switches are operated (while closing only). Battery voltage is supplied to the power sliding door system through a 40 amp fuse, located in the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) assembly. The child lockout switch prevents children from opening or actuating the power sliding door system when desired. In the unlikely event that the power sliding door system develops a fault, the power sliding door can still be operated manually from the interior or exterior door handle, just like a standard manual sliding door.
The power sliding door control module communicates on the J1850 PCI Data Bus Circuit. Therefore, the power sliding door control module can generate and store its own diagnostic trouble codes (DTC). A diagnostic scan tool, such as the DRB III is used to read and diagnose these trouble codes. Refer to the Body Diagnostic for a complete list of diagnostic routines.
NOTE: It may be possible to generate Sliding Door Diagnostic Trouble Codes during normal power sliding door operation. Refer to the Body Diagnostic for a complete list of diagnostic routines.
For additional information, (Refer to POWER DOORS - OPERATION) . For a complete power sliding door system wiring schematic, refer to Wiring Diagrams. For power sliding door system operation instructions, refer to the vehicle owner manual.
WARNING: BE CERTAIN TO REAP ALL WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS IN POWER SLIDING DOOR OPERATION BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY SERVICE OF POWER SLIDING DOOR SYSTEM OR COMPONENTS.
With the push of a power sliding door open/close command switch (key fob, overhead console or B-pillar mounted) a signal is sent out to the Body Control Module (BCM). The BCM then sends a signal out on the PCI Data Bus circuit (J1850) to the power sliding door module. The power sliding door module then signals the power sliding door latch to release the door to the unlatched and movable position. The motor then starts an open cycle.
During the door open cycle, if the power sliding door module detects sufficient resistance to door travel, such as an obstruction in the door's path, the power sliding door module will immediately stop door movement and reverse door travel to the full open or closed position. The ability for the power sliding door module to detect resistance to door travel is accomplished by hall effect sensors and the door motor speed.
The power sliding door control module has the ability to learn. Anytime a door is opened or closed using the power sliding door system the module learns from its cycle. If a replacement power sliding door component is installed or a door adjustment is made, the module must re-learn the effort required to open or close the door. A learn cycle can be performed with a Diagnostic Scan Tool, such as the DRB III, or with a complete cycle of the door, using any one of the command switches. Refer to Standard Procedures for detailed instructions.
The power sliding door system is designed with a number of system inhibitors. These inhibitors are necessary for safety and/or feasibility of the power sliding door system. See the power sliding door system inhibitors noted below:
Power Sliding Door System Inhibitors
- The power sliding door must be in the fun open or closed position in order for the power sliding door system to start a cycle. If the door is not in this position (based on the input from the full open, pawl or ratchet switches) the door control module will not respond to command switch inputs.
- The vehicles transmission must be in park or neutral in order for the power sliding door system to start a cycle.
- The vehicles child lockout switch must be in the "UNLOCKED" position in order for the power sliding door systems B-pillar switches to function.
- If multiple obstacles are detected during the same power open or close cycle the power sliding door may go into full manual mode.
- If severe Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) are stored in the power sliding door control module the power sliding door may go into full manual mode.
- Due to the high pressure created in the passenger compartment with the blower motor on high, the power sliding door may not complete a power close cycle unless a window is cracked, allowing the pressure to escape. This situation will only be experienced on some vehicles, or vehicles with brand new side door weather seals installed. Refer to the Side Door Adjustment procedure in the Standard Procedures.
- The vehicles fuel tank filler door must be in the closed position. Due to the sliding door interference with the open fuel tank filler door, mechanical linkage prevents the side door from opening and striking the fuel door. Refer to the Body for detailed information on the fuel door lockout feature.
Fig.5 Power Latch Position & Orientation:
LATCH
Vehicles equipped with a power side door or doors utilize a power latch. One power latch is used for each power door. The latch is located on the trailing edge of the side door assembly. This power latch assembly is comprised of many different components which have the ability to perform the power cinch, release, lock, unlock and safety related operations. These components are the door latch, lock/unlock actuator, cinch/release actuator and child lockout, pawl, ratchet and handle switches. The ratchet switch is used to indicate the primary locked position. The pawl switch is used to indicate the secondary position. The cinch latch also provides a connection point for the interior handle, exterior handle and hold open latch cables.
The power latch is a replaceable component. Consult your Mopar parts catalog for specific part numbers.
The power latch performs the same operation as a full manual door latch as well as power cinch, release, lock and unlock operations. The power latch mounted actuator cinches the door closed and latches it in its primary latched position. During a power close cycle, the power cinch actuator will not operate until the side door has reached its secondary latch position (determined by pawl and ratchet switches). During a power open cycle, the power release actuator will stop once the side door has moved from primary latch position (determined by ratchet switch).
The power latch uses inputs from the lock/unlock actuator, power side door control module and child lockout, pawl, ratchet and handle switches to provide safe power cinch and release operations. Refer to Power Side Door Operation for additional information.
Fig.7 Side Door Components:
SLIDING DOOR MOTOR
Vehicles equipped with a power sliding door utilize a door motor assembly. The door motor is located in the center of the side door and is comprised of three parts. The three parts of the door motor assembly are the motor, gear reduction and clutch assembly. The door motor assembly provides the power and torque to move the sliding door from the open/closed position to full closed/open position, after the power latching mechanism has released.
Special wellnuts and screws are used in the side door inner panel to retain the door motor to the door panel. Refer to Standard Procedures for additional wellnut information.
The door motor is replaced as a complete assembly, which includes the DC motor, gear reduction and clutch assemblies. Consult your Mopar parts catalog for specific part numbers.
With the push of a Power Side Door (PSD) command switch, the PSD control module will signal the latch assembly to release the door from its primary locked position. The drive motor will then take over to provide the power to open the door to its full open or closed position. The gear reduction portion of the motor assembly reduces the speed of the motor from 5800 to 260 rpm and also increases the torque to the lower drive unit. The clutch portion of the motor assembly engages the motor to drive the door under power and disengages it so the door can be moved easily under manual operation.
Fig.9 Full Open Switch Position & Orientation:
FULL OPEN SWITCH
Vehicles equipped with a power sliding door utilize a full open switch. This switch is located in the hold open latch under the side door lower hinge. When the power side door module receives a ground signal input from the full open switch, and as long as the cinching latch actuator is not in power mode or the handle switch is open, the signal indicates that the door is at the full open position.
The full open switch is incorporated into the hold open latch. If the full open switch proves faulty, the entire hold open latch assembly must be replaced.
The full open switch is triggered by a pawl lever in the hold open latch. When the full open switch is closed (circuit to ground) the ratchet has engaged on the hold open striker and the pawl lever has engaged on the ratchet, locking the latch from opening and holding the door in the full open position.
LEFT B-PILLAR SWITCH
Vehicles equipped with power sliding side door/s utilize B-pillar switches. These switches are located on the interior of the vehicle, on the B-pillar trim panels. These switches serve as an open and close command switch for the appropriate power side door.
The B-pillar switches are replaceable. Consult your Mopar parts catalog for a specific part number.
When the Pillar switch is depressed a signal is sent to the Body Control Module (BCM), this signal is then sent to the Power Sliding Door Module, telling it to start a power open or close cycle. The child lockout feature must be disabled and the side door must be unlocked in order for the Pillar switch to function.
RIGHT B-PILLAR SWITCH
Vehicles equipped with power sliding side door/s utilize B-pillar switches. These switches are located on the interior of the vehicle, on the B-pillar trim panels. These switches serve as an open and close command switch for the appropriate power side door.
The B-pillar switches are replaceable. Consult your Mopar parts catalog for a specific part number.
When the Pillar switch is depressed a signal is sent to the Body Control Module (BCM), this signal is then sent to the Power Sliding Door Module, telling it to start a power open or close cycle. The child lockout feature must be disabled and the side door must be unlocked in order for the Pillar switch to function.
Fig.10 Lower Drive Unit:
LOWER DRIVE UNIT
Vehicles equipped with a power sliding side door utilize a lower drive unit. The lower drive unit is located on the sliding door lower hinge unit. This drive unit is used to transfer the lateral rotation of the flex drive assembly into longitudinal movement via the drive unit gear and door track rack teeth.
The lower drive unit is a replaceable component. Consult your Mopar parts catalog for specific part numbers.
During a power open or close cycle, the power drive unit is driven by the flex drive' assembly: The lower drive units main gear engages the lower door tracks rack teeth, this moves the side door assembly accordingly.
Fig.13 Access Hole Locations:
LOWER DRIVE UNIT TRACK & RACK
Vehicles equipped with a power sliding side door utilize a lower drive unit track or door track and rack assembly. This track provides a mating rack gearfor the lower drive unit to engage. The track also accepts the lower hinge rollers, which helps support the weight of the side door as well as providing a smooth surface for the hinge rollers to move upon.
The lower door track is a replaceable component. Consult your Mopar parts catalog for specific part numbers.
With the start of a power door open cycle, the door motor drives the flex drive assembly. The flex drive assembly drives the lower drive unit. A powdered metal drive gear which is part of the lower drive unit, meshes with the door track rack teeth and moves the door into the full open position. The same operation repeats itself, during a power close cycle only the system rotates in the opposite direction.
Fig.16 Wire Harness Position & Orientation:
WIRING HARNESS
The wire harness supplies power (12v), ground and various electrical signals to the side sliding door for various power door functions. A plastic chain or wiring track covers the wire harness assembly and is used to protect the wire harness from abrasion and/or tangling. This wiring track is replaced with the wire harness assembly.
The wire harness assembly is a replaceable component. Consult your Mopar parts catalog for specific part numbers.
The wire harness and plastic wiring track provide a safe and reliable means of supplying power, ground and other various electrical connections to the side sliding door. During sliding door movement the wiring track folds and unfolds like the links in a chain.
Fig.18 Side Door Components:
FLEX DRIVE
Vehicles equipped with a power sliding side door utilize a flex drive assembly. The flex drive assembly is located in the lower portion of the door and is used to connect the door motor to the lower drive unit. An E-clip is used to secure the flexdrive to the motor assembly, while the flex drive collar is used to secure the drive to the lower drive unit. The flex drive assembly is basically a flexible drive shaft for the power side door system.
The flex drive assembly is a replaceable component. Consult your Mopar parts catalog for specific part numbers.
With one end of the flex drive attached to the door motor and the other attached to the lower drive unit, the flex drive transfers the power and torque from the motor to the drive unit. A square shaped drive cable, inside the flex drive assembly engages the motor drive and rotates to move the door accordingly.