If your wheelchair van ramp is contrary, here are five DIY things you can try to get it working again.

1. Check to make sure the override or child safety switch hasn’t been inadvertently activated thereby disabling the power door/and or ramp.

2. Is the passenger side sliding door unlocked? A weak or faulty door lock solenoid may not allow the door to unlock thus preventing the sliding door from opening.

3. Know how to operate the emergency back-up ramp deployment procedure. Most power folding ramp conversions have an override switch located in the front of the bench seat. In-floor ramp conversions typically have a switch located under the rear bench seat or in front of the bench seat which uses full battery power to drive the ramp in/out. Some in-floor conversions are also equipped with a hand tool to manually crank the ramp in/out.

4. If your sliding door isn’t fully open, try sliding it open by hand to make sure it’s completely open.

5. Check the lower sliding door track to make sure a small rock, marble, Lego, candy, hasn’t lodged itself in the track.

“Our customers tell us their wheelchair vans have personalities,” said Chris Walden, Mobility Sales and Service Manager, Kansas Truck Equipment Co., Inc. Maybe your wheelchair van is having a “moment”. When these DIY tips fail, call Ryan in our service department at 316-722-4291!

Summary
DIY tips for getting your wheelchair van power ramp to operate:

1.  Make sure the child safety switch/override is off.
2.  Are the doors unlocked?
3.  Know how to operate the back-up ramp deployment system.
4. Make sure the sliding door is fully opened.
5. Check the lower sliding door track for debris.