My 2000 Dodge Caravans sliding door on the passenger side won't open from the inside, i have to get out and open it from the outside, any ideas what's wrong.
Thanks

Without seeing it I cannot give you an accurate diagnosis of what is wrong
But here are one or 2 things to check
1) Does it open with And without the key?
2) is the safety button/lever inside pushed down? (try pulling and pushing it) then opening the door from inside
2a) open the door then pull the lever button
does that work?
On well worn doors the knob on the safety lever comes partially loose thus not pulling the opening mechanismfully undone no harm in checking for this
3) squirt some penetrating oil on the lock itself may be a tiny hole that allows you to squirt into the internal mechanism also you may? find a tiny lever which is a safety feature fitted on some doors to stop it being opened from inside.But I've never seen nor worked on a Dodge as I am Uk based
It will be indicated in the vehicle Handbook if they are fitted? Perhaps under Security?
Last Idea. Could the lock on the door be a deadlock? Perhaps the mech has been set by accident? try rotating the key in the wrong direction if the deadlock is set in the ON position then twisting the key "might" undo it to the OFF position?
Remember the lever handle I mentioned earlier?
If you have somebody inside they may see or hear this lever moving? When you open with the key? then all being well the door will open normally Ther may be a sentence in the handbook that refers to this?
Have no handbook then you have 2 options 1) go to the public library and see if they have a Haynes manual for the van and make a photocopy of the door page or 2) Go to the Dodge (Chrysler?) Main Dealer and ask for a photocopied page of the handbook which deals with doorlocks. They may even loan you the book? for a deposit?

It is possible that the rod that connects the handle to the latch is fallen off of one end or the other. They are held in place by a plastic clip that cost about 25 cents at the dealership. You will have to remove the inside door panel to repair it.

Additional info which may be of help...
The sliding door has a childproof opening mechanism (seen this on several web pages) .However have no idea how it works (Need to read the Handbook to find out how it works )
The idea is to stop a child from opening the door from inside.can only open from outside
Your "fault"?

My bet is that "Child Proof Door Lock". It has happened to me on my Dodge Van. Bump it and it engages. If it is that, cheap repair.

Piggins, nothing at dealerships cost 25 cents. As a matter of fact, I don't think you can find anything under a buck.

Feeling like a blonde and i'm a brunette, it was the child lock on the side of the sliding door, someone flipped it on. Thanks to all.
Now that's what i call a cheap repair.

Now aren't you glad you're a Pooley?

LOL Butter... at least it costed less for you to come here than go to the dealership for a "repair"!!