Sliding Door Problem - Won’t open from outside

[Helian]

Hi Everyone,

After much lurking in the background and much appreciated advice I recently got a 2024 Cali Ocean T6.1, it’s 2 months old. This weekend we had our first camping trip, and it was mostly successful even though a few lessons were also learned
However, after a couple of days, the sliding door (not electric) stopped opening from the outside. At first I thought I’d locked myself out (very scary), but then I realised the drivers door was unlocked, and I could reach around and open the sliding door from the inside.
Thinking it was a newbie error, I took the keys outside, did a full lock and unlock, but the door still doesn’t open from the outside.
When I lock the van, I hear the sliding door locks engage so the centra locking is working.
When the sliding door is closed, I don;t get the quiet whine of the closing motor at the rear of the door, but the door closes flush with the body, so it’s seated correctly.
I checked on the forum, and found very little that is similar. I’ve cleaned all contacts, I’ve ensured camping mode is not on, Childs locks are off, van is unlocked from the inside (and through the key) - all with no success
Before I book it into the dealer, does anyone have any words of wisdom that may help me?
Many thanks in advance
Ian.

 

[Sad]

You've just reminded me, this happened on our MY21 Coast. Went back under warranty, I think it was just the connection from the outside handle had come off!

Incidentally, does your side door and boot have power latching?

 

[Sad]

No, I take it back! Have just searched through for the video I sent the dealer at the time. Our door wouldn't open from the inside! Outcome was as above...

(Would still be interested to know if you have power latching )

 

[Helian]

No, I take it back! Have just searched through for the video I sent the dealer at the time. Our door wouldn't open from the inside! Outcome was as above...

(Would still be interested to know if you have power latching )

Hi, thanks for the responses.
Yes, the door has the power latching (at least I assume that the quiet whirring noise when the door slides in to place and the back of the door slots in tightly??)
It’s got to be a loose connection on the handle mechanism as there is little else to affect the door opening. The interior catch makes the rear of the door ‘click’, but the exterior doesn’t. So there’s got to be something disconnected.
I’ll call the dealer and get it booked in. Once it’s fixed I’ll report back in the forum.
Thanks again
Ian

 

[Perfectos]

Hi, thanks for the responses.
Yes, the door has the power latching (at least I assume that the quiet whirring noise when the door slides in to place and the back of the door slots in tightly??)
It’s got to be a loose connection on the handle mechanism as there is little else to affect the door opening. The interior catch makes the rear of the door ‘click’, but the exterior doesn’t. So there’s got to be something disconnected.
I’ll call the dealer and get it booked in. Once it’s fixed I’ll report back in the forum.
Thanks again
Ian

The Bowden cable that operates door release is a known issue on T6.1 although it mainly relates to cold weather.

If it's under warranty they will sort it, door failing to open is an MOT failure, making it a warranty issue.

 

[CaliMac]

Hi Everyone,

After much lurking in the background and much appreciated advice I recently got a 2024 Cali Ocean T6.1, it’s 2 months old. This weekend we had our first camping trip, and it was mostly successful even though a few lessons were also learned
However, after a couple of days, the sliding door (not electric) stopped opening from the outside. At first I thought I’d locked myself out (very scary), but then I realised the drivers door was unlocked, and I could reach around and open the sliding door from the inside.
Thinking it was a newbie error, I took the keys outside, did a full lock and unlock, but the door still doesn’t open from the outside.
When I lock the van, I hear the sliding door locks engage so the centra locking is working.
When the sliding door is closed, I don;t get the quiet whine of the closing motor at the rear of the door, but the door closes flush with the body, so it’s seated correctly.
I checked on the forum, and found very little that is similar. I’ve cleaned all contacts, I’ve ensured camping mode is not on, Childs locks are off, van is unlocked from the inside (and through the key) - all with no success
Before I book it into the dealer, does anyone have any words of wisdom that may help me?
Many thanks in advance
Ian.

I had a similar problem on my new Ocean last year. It was difficult or not possible to open from the inside and sometimes the outside handle. Its first service was in January and they found nothing wrong with it and tbh it was ok then. I can only suspect that it may be heat related and any bowden cables expand just enough to be problematic in warmer weather.