Ramp Van

Billy Kidd · 02-17-2012, 05:41 PM

I am new here and perhaps posting in an incorrect location. If so, would someone please direct me to another thread, (or even a different forum) for dealing with conversion van problems.

We have a 2002 Chrysler Town and Country with the IMS ramp and lowered-floor conversion to accommodate my wife's powered chair. As you may know, IMS was acquired by another manufacturer and service is a problem. The system had been operating properly. Now, however, as soon as the side door opens fully, it immediately reverses and begins to close - at the same time that the ramp is in the process of unfolding. As a result, the door and ramp must be operated manually.

I have located a leaf-operated microswitch at the lower rear of the bottom door track, which seems to be the only component that would sense the door's position. The switch is mounted on a plate that apparently functions also as the detent to hold the door in its open position.

The switch is nearly inaccessible. Before I tackle this job, can anyone confirm that the switch and/or its actuator is indeed the source of this problem?

Thanks very much -
Billy Kidd

gjnl · 02-17-2012, 07:40 PM

There is a member here who has posted that he is a former IMS electrical engineer. His member sign in name is wadenelson (http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/member.php?u=70005).

I don't know how often he comes to the website, but he has said in his one of this posts that he would be willing to talk with anyone about problems they are having with IMS rampvans. You could try sending him a Private Message (PM).

Where are you located? There is a dealer/repair guy in Berkeley, California who has been in the business for 25+ years. He knows these vans inside out. I don't know if he would be willing to try to help over the phone, but you could call him to find out. Mobility Systems (800) 94-FREEDOM, ask for Bill or Neverton.
http://mobilitysystems.com/

The folks at Mobility Works (http://www.mobilityworks.com/#) may be able to help. They have locations in:Albany/Schenectady, Akron-Cleveland (Headquarters), Chicago- Villa Park, Chicago - Plainfield, Chicago - Skokie, Cincinnati, Detroit, MobilityWorks Corporate Headquarters (Farmingdale, NJ), Pasadena, Pittsburgh, Saginaw (MI), San Jose, Toledo, Van Nuys, Waukesha, (WI). There "Contact Us" page invites questions.

All the best,
GJ

SCI-Nurse · 02-18-2012, 02:08 AM

It would help if you posted your location (and completed your profile), Billy.

If you are in Southern CA, we have been getting repairs on our IMS vans at Mac's Lift Gate in Long Beach for many years. Never a problem getting parts.

(KLD)

Billy Kidd · 02-18-2012, 02:34 PM

Sorry - new at this.

We are in North Texas, near the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Automotive Innovations · 02-20-2012, 07:41 PM

As I recall the micro switch your talking about only allows the ramp to deploy once the door is open.

I believe IMS made there own door opener in 02 and can't remember, but don't believe it had a auto reversing feature.

We have a 2002 IMS around here somewhere.
If I get a chance (and or can remember) I'll run it and see if I can get it to auto reverse.

If i were to guess the micro switch is fine and something is wrong with the door opener, the track and or the any or all of the 3 different roller points.

are you sure the door is reversing and not just bouncing off something?

Your going to want to bring it to a mobility dealer who knows what there doing.

Billy Kidd · 02-21-2012, 08:46 AM

Thanks for your reply. Yes, the door is definitely reversing, and does it instantly upon reaching full-open. It continues until fully closed and latched. As a guess, it may be triggering a safety feature that causes it to reverse when it strikes something.

We are fortunate, though - able to open the door manually and then give the ramp a little push and it unfolds normally.

Thanks again -
BK

Semper Fi · 02-21-2012, 10:51 AM

Billy,
You can try United Access in Dallas. Tell the people Laura's Dad responded to you by Care Cure. I'm a T-4 complete 9yr post.
Good Luck

Automotive Innovations · 02-21-2012, 07:02 PM

Sure enough the 2002 has a auto reversing mode.

I'd bet that switch does at least two things, stops the door and lets the ramp deploy.

If i were to guess either one part of the switch is bad or theres some sort of obstruction.

I think your best bet is going to be bringing it to a good mobility dealer (preferably one that has been around longer than your van)

Billy Kidd · 02-23-2012, 04:17 PM

Many thanks for the responses. I will make a trip to United Access in Dallas as Semper Fi recommended, soon as I can get some time off.

BK

Billy Kidd · 03-08-2012, 01:24 PM

A big "thanks" to all who responded. The problem turned out to be a broken wire in the "snake" harness in the door track.

BK

02-17-2012, 05:41 PM	#1
Billy Kidd Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 6	Ramp Van I am new here and perhaps posting in an incorrect location. If so, would someone please direct me to another thread, (or even a different forum) for dealing with conversion van problems. We have a 2002 Chrysler Town and Country with the IMS ramp and lowered-floor conversion to accommodate my wife's powered chair. As you may know, IMS was acquired by another manufacturer and service is a problem. The system had been operating properly. Now, however, as soon as the side door opens fully, it immediately reverses and begins to close - at the same time that the ramp is in the process of unfolding. As a result, the door and ramp must be operated manually. I have located a leaf-operated microswitch at the lower rear of the bottom door track, which seems to be the only component that would sense the door's position. The switch is mounted on a plate that apparently functions also as the detent to hold the door in its open position. The switch is nearly inaccessible. Before I tackle this job, can anyone confirm that the switch and/or its actuator is indeed the source of this problem? Thanks very much - Billy Kidd

02-20-2012, 07:41 PM	#5
Automotive Innovations Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Bridgewater, MA Posts: 217	As I recall the micro switch your talking about only allows the ramp to deploy once the door is open. I believe IMS made there own door opener in 02 and can't remember, but don't believe it had a auto reversing feature. We have a 2002 IMS around here somewhere. If I get a chance (and or can remember) I'll run it and see if I can get it to auto reverse. If i were to guess the micro switch is fine and something is wrong with the door opener, the track and or the any or all of the 3 different roller points. are you sure the door is reversing and not just bouncing off something? Your going to want to bring it to a mobility dealer who knows what there doing. __________________ Jim, MA, MMET Bridgewater, MA

02-21-2012, 07:02 PM	#8
Automotive Innovations Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Bridgewater, MA Posts: 217	Sure enough the 2002 has a auto reversing mode. I'd bet that switch does at least two things, stops the door and lets the ramp deploy. If i were to guess either one part of the switch is bad or theres some sort of obstruction. I think your best bet is going to be bringing it to a good mobility dealer (preferably one that has been around longer than your van) __________________ Jim, MA, MMET Bridgewater, MA

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02-17-2012, 07:40 PM	#2
gjnl Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 5,048	There is a member here who has posted that he is a former IMS electrical engineer. His member sign in name is wadenelson (http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/member.php?u=70005). I don't know how often he comes to the website, but he has said in his one of this posts that he would be willing to talk with anyone about problems they are having with IMS rampvans. You could try sending him a Private Message (PM). Where are you located? There is a dealer/repair guy in Berkeley, California who has been in the business for 25+ years. He knows these vans inside out. I don't know if he would be willing to try to help over the phone, but you could call him to find out. Mobility Systems (800) 94-FREEDOM, ask for Bill or Neverton. http://mobilitysystems.com/ The folks at Mobility Works (http://www.mobilityworks.com/#) may be able to help. They have locations in:Albany/Schenectady, Akron-Cleveland (Headquarters), Chicago- Villa Park, Chicago - Plainfield, Chicago - Skokie, Cincinnati, Detroit, MobilityWorks Corporate Headquarters (Farmingdale, NJ), Pasadena, Pittsburgh, Saginaw (MI), San Jose, Toledo, Van Nuys, Waukesha, (WI). There "Contact Us" page invites questions. All the best, GJ

02-18-2012, 02:08 AM	#3
SCI-Nurse Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: USA Posts: 41,341	It would help if you posted your location (and completed your profile), Billy. If you are in Southern CA, we have been getting repairs on our IMS vans at Mac's Lift Gate in Long Beach for many years. Never a problem getting parts. (KLD)

02-18-2012, 02:34 PM	#4
Billy Kidd Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 6	Sorry - new at this. We are in North Texas, near the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

02-21-2012, 08:46 AM	#6
Billy Kidd Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 6	Thanks for your reply. Yes, the door is definitely reversing, and does it instantly upon reaching full-open. It continues until fully closed and latched. As a guess, it may be triggering a safety feature that causes it to reverse when it strikes something. We are fortunate, though - able to open the door manually and then give the ramp a little push and it unfolds normally. Thanks again - BK

02-21-2012, 10:51 AM	#7
Semper Fi Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Missouri Posts: 92	Billy, You can try United Access in Dallas. Tell the people Laura's Dad responded to you by Care Cure. I'm a T-4 complete 9yr post. Good Luck

02-23-2012, 04:17 PM	#9
Billy Kidd Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 6	Many thanks for the responses. I will make a trip to United Access in Dallas as Semper Fi recommended, soon as I can get some time off. BK

03-08-2012, 01:24 PM	#10
Billy Kidd Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 6	A big "thanks" to all who responded. The problem turned out to be a broken wire in the "snake" harness in the door track. BK