Update on this.  I determine that it does seem to be that "pawl" not
springing up fast enough/strong enough to catch the latch.  It did
seem to be gunked up in there, so after some WD40, I decided to try
some brake cleaner.  Blasted it pretty good and now letting that all
dry before I go back with some WD40 again.  I'd really like to take
the latch apart, but want to wait on that project.  I assume I have
to take the panel off the door for that?

Edward

At 12:16 AM 3/7/2008, Joe Federici wrote:
>Yea, I had a feeling you would say that. I would take a look at that
>rear latch, loosen it, then pull it out ever so slightly and then
>maybe invest in a new one when you can. I think once the summer rolls
>around it will be better as well.
>
>JFF
>
>
>On Mar 6, 2008, at 10:51 PM, Edward Maglott wrote:
>
>Joe,
>Yes to both of your questions.  Tends to work better in warm weather.
>Edward
>
>At 10:34 PM 3/6/2008, Joe Federici wrote:
>>Do you find it's any different in the cold of the winter then the
>>heat of the summer? Does or has the rear hatch ever popped open so
>>the rear of door pops out slightly when your driving. I'm inclined to
>>say it's the rear latch. I would try adjusting it, per the manual.
>>Usually it's a matter of the latch coming straight out just ever so
>>slightly so it latches sooner anf the bolt sits further in the latch.
>>Depending on how bad/old it is you might try replacing. That rear
>>hatch cost around 40.00
>>
>>JFF
>>
>>
>>On Mar 6, 2008, at 6:57 PM, Edward Maglott wrote:
>>
>>My '86 wolfsburg model sliding door is finicky about being closed
>>just right.  Too hard and it "bounces" open, too soft and it doesn't'
>>latch all the way.  I looked at all the Bentley stuff on it, and it
>>appears to be properly aligned.  I looked at the latch mechanism at
>>the rear of the door.  There is the part that rotates and grabs the
>>post on the van body (I will call that the latch), and the part that
>>holds the rotating part once it has latched on the post ( I will call
>>that the pawl).  The pawl action seemed a little sluggish, so I used
>>some WD40 on the pivot points of both it, and the latch.  No
>>change.  Any advice?
>>
>>Edward