Hello all! new to forum here!
Yesterday, out of nowhere, the rear double door (the one without the exterior handle) wouldn't open. The door with the outside handle does open. The one that wont open is the one you close first if both were open. I hear clicking, but nothing.
Later in the day, the side main door with the exterior handle wont open from the outside, although it does open from the inside.
Its really strange that both doors broke on the same day...is there some trick or some fuse somewhere that blew?
Any advice would be great!

 

What year and how many miles on your van?

It sounds like the cable mechanisms operated by the user accessible handles have failed----these aren't electrically operated or controlled though, no fuses to check etc etc.

If its just a cargo van without interior door trim panels its easy to reach inside each door and actuate the latches. If its the Club Wagon or conversion van any trim needs to be first removed. Sad to say its probably time to replace the latch mechanisms complete. There have been posted various fixes for the cables but honestly once they've failed in this way most likely they've also worn enough replacing them makes more sense, especially if it becomes labor intensive due interior trim etc.

Its not a difficult job even for the DIY'er assuming one has Torx sockets and a well equipped tool box in general.

Hope this helps even a little!

 

96 Ford Econoline wagon 80k, sorry should have mentioned that.

 

Yeah sounds like the plastic ferrules have deteriorated allowing the cable attachement to slip out and not releasing the latch---this isn't that uncommon a problem. Age alone seems to do this as the plastic used wasn't that good of material from the beginning.

An independent auto glass shop might be someone to contact first if you need this done by someone else. Each latch assembly should be less than $100 each even from the dealers---my advice would NOT to use salvage parts as there's no guarantee their age making them potentially failing once again and requiring the whole process over again.

This can be one of the most aggravating things to experience if only for the inconvenience alone---been there, done that! Sad thing is I'm in the auto glass biz and have added various trim panel/tool holders to all my doors.