Interesting post - same problem on my van as well. Question - how do you
remove the inside panel. ie the clips that hold the panel? Is there a tool
or do you just drill out the centers?

Bill-->.

>I had that exact same problem.
>As I had the inside panel off of the door at the time  it was real easy to
>dismantel the entire latch mechanism and clean and inspect it.
>As it turns out the problem was wear in the latch mechanism inside the
>door lock itself(at the rear of the door).
>Clean every thing you can see real good- then work all the parts you can
>observe and see how they interact- my permanent (so far) solution was
>simply to take a small file to the lock parts where they interact and
>clean them up a bit.
>Of course the quick fix would be to buy a new latch mechanism but I dont
>think you can do the R&R without taking the door panel off.
>
>Jaymac,  87 Vanagon GL (2WD) 195,000 miles  (20,000 miles on motor)
>
>sam pacifico wrote:
>
>> The sliding door on my '87 vanagon has suddenly started to pop open on
>> its own while the vehicle is moving.  Is there some adjustment that I
>> can make to secure this door again?