A common feature of minivans and mid-sized SUVs is the electric sliding doors. They are known for making our lives much easier and more convenient. Instead of fighting to hold the car door open while your arms are filled with bags and crying children, modern technology has made it so that you can get in and out of your vehicle with the simple press of a button.
Of course, the addition of an electric mechanism in your car’s sliding door can mean that, if something malfunctions or breaks, the issue can be a little more complicated to repair than a simple manual sliding door. This article will discuss electric sliding doors and their benefits, the associated problems, preventative measures, and how to fix your electric sliding door when it malfunctions.
The Benefits of Electric Sliding Doors
The convenience and ease provided by electric sliding doors are major benefits, but these are not the only perks to owning a vehicle with this special feature. The following are just a few additional assets of electric sliding doors:
● Can transport large groups
● Accessible for the disabled
● Makes seat rearrangement trouble-free
While these are all benefits of the original manual sliding doors, the hands-free approach to electric sliding doors just adds another element of ease to your everyday life. This is one of the reasons why, even though manual sliding doors used to be the standard for many years, the invention of the electric sliding door has become a very popular and sought-after feature in newer vehicles.
How Electric Sliding Doors Work
The design behind electric sliding doors is actually fairly simple. By pushing a button, a signal is sent to a mechanism in the door. This mechanism utilizes a motor and a chain drive. These move the door back and forth along a track. As the door moves, it extends slightly out from the door’s frame. Then, when the door is fully open, a hook known as a pawl attaches to the gears below the door and locks the door into place.
Problems with a Failing Electric Sliding Door
Though the actual technology behind the electric sliding door is simple enough, a lot of problems can occur if it malfunctions. The most obvious sign that the mechanism in your electric sliding door is failing is if the door won’t open or close when you push the button. Another problem that you might experience is a grinding noise every time the door does open or close. This is a sign that the door’s motor is wearing out and needs to be replaced. It’s also possible for the electric sliding door to become damaged and for the door’s window to come loose, causing it to make a sound every time that it rubs against the door.
Preventative measures
As a responsible car owner, one of the most important things to remember is to make sure that you take good care of your vehicle. Proper maintenance is imperative when it comes to preserving your car’s functionality and performance. Here are a few preventative measures you can take to avoid developing problems with your electric sliding doors:
Clean the track of any debris
If dirt and debris are allowed to build up in your sliding door track, eventually the door will not be able to function properly.
Keep the track well-lubricated
Lubricant will allow your door to move back and forth smoothly across the track. If your electric sliding door squeaks every time you open or close it, the track should probably be lubricated.
Avoid working against the motor
Perhaps the most common reason why electric sliding doors develop problems is because people have a tendency to pull on the door as the door’s motor is working to move the door in the opposite direction. This wears out the motor, so try to avoid doing this.
We Will Help
In addition to taking preventative measures to help 
keep your car’s electric sliding doors functioning optimally, hiring a professional who can inspect, diagnose, and repair issues is a key step in good automotive care.
At Star Motors, we are trained to find out what’s causing your electric sliding door to fail and the best solution to fix it. No matter what model of vehicle you drive, we are qualified to treat your car with the proper care and attention that it deserves. So, if you’re having any problems with your electric sliding door, stop in and see us today. We are located in San Juan Capistrano, CA and other Southern Orange County areas.
