Mini van Console Door Latch Repair

[ajakeski]

Date: 30th April 2016
Username: ajakeski
Full Name: Andy Skowronski
City, State, Zip: Kenosha, WI
Contact: PM via forum
Price: $8.00 plus shipping
Description: Carvan and Voyager dashboard console door latch repair part.

The upper door latch of the minivan dashboard center stack has a tendancy to be broken. Finding a good door isn't getting any easier.

I took mine apart and saw that it has a Rube Goldberg-esque design to it. Three pieces and two springs actuate the latch. The middle piece is the one that breaks, leaving your console door in the always open position.

3D design to the rescue.
I made the thin parts as thick as I could and still have the part fit in the door. So far the ABS one I printed is working fine. The Shapeways part is made of nylon so it should be stronger than my ABS one. I have one on order and will test it when it arrives.

If you feel like beta testing with me, here is a link to where you can purchase your very own Caravan console latch repair part:

https://www.shapeways.com/product/YQ...shop-inventory



Don't forget to uncheck the email boxes so you don't get unwanted emails like Todd did.

The part in the photos below is my ABS prototype. Your's will be prettier.

[Sgt Craig]

order placed!

[ajakeski]

Thanks! Let me know how it works for you.

If you've never taken that console door apart before, it's a little tricky getting it back together. It took me a while to figure out how it's supposed to go when I first did mine.

The springs go onto the new part like in the photo and then the tails of the springs fold back against the cupholder side of the door as you slide the new part into the pivot slots.
Place the cupholder side of the door back into the door assembly while aligning the hook of the new part with the hole in the latch.
Easy!

[Sgt Craig]

Thanks! Let me know how it works for you.

If you've never taken that console door apart before, it's a little tricky getting it back together. It took me a while to figure out how it's supposed to go when I first did mine.

The springs go onto the new part like in the photo and then the tails of the springs fold back against the cupholder side of the door as you slide the new part into the pivot slots.
Place the cupholder side of the door back into the door assembly while aligning the hook of the new part with the hole in the latch.
Easy!

yeah those springs are a PIA

- - - Updated - - -

are they the same for both doors?

[ajakeski]

yeah those springs are a PIA

- - - Updated - - -

are they the same for both doors?

I'm not sure, I only took the upper one apart, but I would assume they're similar.

[Sgt Craig]

Got mine today!ill try to install it this weekend.Thanks!