GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Opening the Sliding Door

Important: 

   • Ensure that the following conditions are present in order to operate the PSD:
      - The transaxle is in the PARK position.
      - The PSD lockout switch is disabled (released position).
      - The sliding door is unlocked.
   • The PSD will not open by pulling the inside door handle when the sliding door child lock is engaged.

Open the Power Sliding Door (PSD) by performing one of the following four actions:

    • Press the overhead console PSD open/close switch.
    • Press the B-pillar PSD open/close switch.
    • Press the PSD open/close button on the keyless entry transmitter.
    • Manually open the sliding door from either door handle. The PSD will assume control using the power assist feature.

Closing the Sliding Door

Important: Ensure that the PSD lockout switch is disabled (released position) for the PSD to operate.

Close the PSD by performing one of the following four actions:

    • Press the overhead console PSD open/close switch.
    • Press the B-pillar PSD open/close switch.
    • Press the PSD open/close button on the keyless entry transmitter.
    • Manually close the sliding door from either door handle. When the sliding door moves 7.5 cm (3 in), the PSD will assume control using the power assist feature.

Reverse During Opening

Once the sliding door has opened at least 30 cm (12 in), any of the following conditions reverses the PSD open operation (causing the PSD to close):

    • Pressing the overhead console PSD open/close switch
    • Pressing the B-pillar PSD open/close switch
    • Pressing the PSD open/close button on the keyless entry transmitter
    • When an opposing force to the opening operation occurs (such as an object in the sliding door path).

Reverse During Closing

Once the PSD has begun to close, any of the following conditions reverses the closing operation (causing the PSD to open):

    • Pressing the overhead console PSD open/close switch
    • Pressing the B-pillar PSD open/close switch
    • Pressing the PSD open/close button on the keyless entry transmitter
    • When an opposing force to the closing operation occurs (such as an object in the sliding door path)

Open/Close Operation Reversal Due to Excessive Force or Obstruction

The amount of force necessary to reverse the PSD depends on the position of the sliding door at the time of obstruction. The PSD action may not reverse if the following actions occur:

  1. The PSD starts to close.
  2. A gradually increasing force is applied on the sliding door in an effort to reverse the operation.

The PSD control module may interpret the gradually increasing resistance as a corrosive or dirty track. The PSD control module compensates for the gradual resistance on the sliding door by applying more power to the cable motor when closing the sliding door. In order to reverse the PSD at this stage of the sliding door travel, an abrupt and firm force is required.

The PSD control module operates in this manner in order to compensate for the wear over the life of the PSD. Over time the vehicle may experience the following conditions:

    • A dirty track
    • A corrosive track
    • Ice build-up on the track (during cold weather)

The PSD control module is more sensitive to obstructions near the end of the sliding door close operation. The amount of force necessary in order to reverse the sliding door travel is less than when the sliding door started to close.

When the sliding door is within 2.5 cm (1.0 in) of the closed position, the door lock latch switch sends a signal to the PSD control module. The PSD control module determines that the sliding door is in the unlatched (ajar) position. This action causes the control module to apply full power to the cable motor in order to bring the sliding door to the fully closed (latched) position. The sliding door will close unless the force is greater than the cable motor at full power. The PSD control module de-energizes the cable motor and the clutch when the PSD control module receives a second signal from the door lock latch switch. The second signal indicates that the sliding door is fully closed and latched.

Stopping PSD Open Operation

One of the following six actions will stop the PSD open operation:

    • The sliding door reaches the fully open position.
    • The open operation continues for longer than 20 seconds.
    • The open operation was started by a closing reversal operation and the sliding door movement is blocked while opening.
    • A PSD open/close switch (overhead console or B-pillar) or keyless entry transmitter button is pressed before the sliding has opened at least 30 cm (12 in).
    • The travel is blocked before the sliding door has opened at least 30 cm (12 in).
    • The overhead console PSD lockout switch is pressed (enabled position).

Stopping PSD Closing Operation

One of the following four actions will stop the PSD close operation:

    • The sliding door reaches the fully closed (latched) position.
    • The close operation continues for longer than 20 seconds.
    • The close operation was started by an opening reversal operation and the sliding door movement is blocked while closing.
    • The overhead console PSD lockout switch is pressed (enabled position).