Component Description

Fig.20 Power Side Door Components:

SLIDING DOOR CONTROL MODULE
Vehicles equipped with a power sliding door utilize a sliding door control module. The sliding door control module is located behind the sliding door trim panel in the center of the door, just above the sliding door motor. This module controls the operation of the door through the Programmable Communication Interface (PCI) J1850 data bus circuit and the Body Control Module. The sliding door control module contains software technology which enables it to detect resistance to door travel and to reverse door travel in order to avoid damage to the door or to avoid possible personal injury if the obstruction is a person. This feature functions in both the opening and closing cycles. If the power sliding door system develops any problems the control module will store and recall Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC). The use of a diagnostic scan tool, such as the DRB III is required to read and troubleshoot these trouble codes. The sliding door control module can be reflashed if necessary. Refer to the latest Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) Information for any updates.

The power door control module is a replaceable component and cannot be repaired, if found to be faulty it must be replaced. Consult your Mopar(TM) parts catalog for a specific part number.

The power sliding door control module serves as the main computer for the power sliding side door system. All power door functions are processed through the power door control module and/or the vehicles body control module (BCM). At the start of a power open command, a signal is sent to the BCM and then to the power door control module via the J1850 data bus circuit. This signal, generated by any of the power door command switches, tells the power door control module to activate a power latch release, engage the clutch assembly and drive the door into the full open position. If an obstacle is felt during this power open cycle, the module will reverse direction and close the door. This process is also enabled during a power close cycle. This process will repeat three times, and if a fourth obstacle is detected, the door will go into full manual mode. Once the full open position is obtained, a hold open latch assembly mounted full open switch tells the control module that the door has reached the full open position. If the power sliding door system develops any problems the control module will store and recall Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC). The use of a diagnostic scan tool, such as the DRB III is required to read and troubleshoot these trouble codes.

Fig.5 Removing/Installing Power Latch In Sliding Door:

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 pawl and ratchet switches are used to indicate the primary and secondary latched positions. 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.

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 in this section 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 assembly. 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 Rack 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 gear for 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 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 And 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.