My sliding door is stuck in the locked position!

[thejoneses]

Hello

On a recent camping trip we returned to our van after a day out and found that both handles that operate the sliding door were both broken. When I push down on the handle there is no resistance and nothing happens. I have removed the door card to the sliding door but it looks like I have to get the door open in order to get into the lock. Does anyone know of some way to pop open the sliding door assuming it is still locked?
Many thanks!

[busdaddy]

Welcome!, it would help alot to know the year of your bus
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[SGKent]

we do know that the interior and exterior locks on the slider are independent of each other and that both have to be unlocked for the door to operate freely. Right?
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[NachoVW1971]

I am having a similar problem. I shut and locked from the inside. Now it is stuck locked. I can move the internal lock up and down and that is how I locked it. The outside lock has always worked and moved. But now it won't turn. I can't get the door open to figure out the lock problem. Any advice on how to get it open to look at it? It is a 1971 Bay Window.

[aeromech]

Are you sure the outside lock is unlocked?
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[mikedjames]

I think you can gradually loosen the striker plate from the front pillar with a 13mm spanner in the gap.

Combine this with a pull on the cable under the door card to pop the back of the door open.

You will have to progressively undo the bolts on the front pillar as the door moves back..
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[NachoVW1971]

Okay, I was able to remove the white plastic handle and push the square nut forward which pushed out the handle. I was able to open it. But the outside lock won't turn with the key. I think maybe the handle lock itself is broken. I tried putting lubricant into the lock to get it moving, but no luck.

[NachoVW1971]

Decided to replace entire handle and lock...to be continued.

[busdaddy]

And you have a source for these parts ahead of time?, don't expect to find stuff like that in any on line catalog.
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Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.

Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

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[aeromech]

When you turn the outside lock with the key, a dead bolt pops out. It engages a slot on the lock base and can be installed upside down. When this happens you can’t turn the key because the dead bolt can’t extend into the slot
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound