[gillbates]

This just happened to me and I found lots of entries on the old board so I figured it's common enough to copy to this board. There's a handle on the inside of the stuck door. It has two plastic access covers, one on each end. Using a small screw driver pop them off. Be careful as they are easy to break. The tabs are on the top and bottom so if you slide your small screwdriver in from the side you can push up on the top and then pull them off. Under the covers are 10mm bolts, remove them and the handle and a plastic plate will come off. Under there you will find a 3-4 inch slot that's maybe 1/2" high. There's a silver rod that comes across that slot from the left (drivers) side of the van. At the end it turns 90 degrees towards the rear of the van. Near that turn you will see a metal thing with a plastic sleeve in it that has a hole in it just big enough for the metal rod. Slip the rod into the plastic sleeve and you will be able to open your door. Now it just might stay there if you make a point of not slamming the back door but if you have kids, like me, odds are it's going to pop out again. This is as far as I've gotten but people on the old board suggested going to napa and buying item # 735-2786 (Door Lock Rod Clip) $2.69 USD to correct the problem. My van is a 97 but this setup seems to be the same through at least 02.

 

[mhuhmann]

Nice job describing the fix for the rear hatch of an ASTRO van. I have a 2003 that had the same problem. I followed your direction and found that the left side release rod had been "slammed" out of its hole. The van is a catering van and unfortunately my workers are worse than kids when it comes to vehicle abuse.

Thanks for taking the time to post this fix. Martin

 

[osb316]

The information you gave was so helpful. I appreciate it very much. I could not figure out why the left hand driver's side hatch wouldn't release. After taking the handle & cover off, I saw where it popped out. 1/2 hour fix, saved me a trip to the body shop. Thanks again!

Now, if you could tell me why my all-wheel drive rumbles at 65 mph, I'll be eternally grateful.

Ed Osborne
[email protected]

 

[mamamommymom]

Thank you! Success with an '02 by an old blonde lady, who happens to be the leader of the rough and tumble crowd. Therefore I'm leaving the handle off until I get ahold of the door lock rod clips - I couldn't find that part # at napa, so I'm hoping the guys at Auto Zone will be able to help out.

Many thanks after several months of just hoping "I don't get a flat cuz I can't open the back door." :bow: You're the best!

 

[gillbates]

I'm glad this has helped all of you. I couldn't find a clip to hold it on either so I just took some thin wire (from my wife's craft supplies) and wrapped it around. Mine has not fallen off again and I still have kids.

 

[subsailor592]

I have a 99 with this exact problem only it's the hatch door above the dutch doors "right" (passenger) mechinism that has failed shut. Can this same fix be done for either side?
How did it happen... my son, 25 year old Navy man slammed the damned thing shut while we were taking the grandkids to the Cincinnati Zoo!

 

[gillbates]

Well it was the left side for me and the other people that mentioned a side in this thread. Slamming the door is the technique folks use to knock it out. It's a mechanical lever so if you hit the release on the dashboard you can hear it try to unlock. Anyway it's easy to check so you might as well.

I did look in my service manual and I don't see any other access place so hopefully it will be there.

 

[tehovind]

:goodpost: Perfect! Thanks for the explanation! :ty:

 

[squeek daddy]

woo i need this. let me see if i can take some pics as well while im fixing mine

 

[jmeb]

Incredibly helpful and detailed post -- fixed my rear door in a jiffy with this.

The hardest part was getting the metal rod (that runs to the drivers side) out from behind the slot it was supposed to be in to re-seat it in the plastic sleeve. Until I find a better fix I put a zip tie around the metal rod to make it easy to access should it ever pop out again.

This weekend I'll throw up a few photos for future reference.

 

[AstroCreep2002]

Thanks a ton GillBates for this fix! The lady I bought my Astro from knocked $200 off the price of the van because the dutch latch was stuck. It took me less than an hour to find your post and get it working - $200 per hour a'int too shabby...

 

[Sailing_Faith]

How about an issue with a right side that does not latch?

Mine only latches on the left.... Or is it supposed to be like that?