The latch on the rear door of my ram pickup is rusted

it is rusted to the latch. soak the latch under the seat with wd-40 and wait a day. then try again. if it doesn't work then use a screw driver to pry open the seized latch.

I vote for corroded or loose cable inside door.

Had the same problem with my 99 ram. The problem is the bottom latch. It freezes up due to under use. The only way I could get mine open to fix it was to pull the door handle and get inside the cab and kick the door at the bottom at the same time as pulling the handle to get the latch to let loose. Had to kick it hard and several times. Good luck

The adjuster is accessed through a slot in the bottom of the brake backing plate. Clean all rust from the axle, to allow drum to come off...

if u have panel off the and get somthing in the mechinism that latches around the post and flip it up hope that will work

try spraying them with a pb blaster and allowing them to sit for a few hours, respray every 25-30 minutes. Then when there done spray well with a brake cleaner to remove rust, then allow to dry spray with a wd-40 then a white lithium grease, should do it

you've got a bad door switch

Section 501-14A: Handles, Locks, Latches and Mechanisms 1997 F-150, F-250 Workshop Manual REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION Latch, Rear Door — Upper Removal

1. Remove the rear door trim panel; refer to Section 501-05 .

1. Remove the rear door radio speaker.
   1. Remove the four radio speaker screws.
   1. Disconnect the electrical connector.
   1. Remove the rear door radio speaker.

1. Carefully peel off the rear door watershield.

1. Disconnect the upper rear door latch cable.
   1. Lift the clip.
   1. Pull to release the cable from its seated position.

1. Remove the upper rear door latch.
   1. Remove the three screws.
   1. Pull the upper rear door latch and the cable up through the door latch opening.

It sounds like the latch may not have opened all the way last time you opened it and then when you tried to close it, the latch jammed on the pin.

I would get inside the van and try to force the sliding door open at the rear where it swings out on the rails. The latch is going to have to be jarred loose.

If you get it open, check and make sure the "fingers" on the latch are completely opened before closing it again, and give them some lubrication.

The bottom latch was rusted locked. I had to pull on bottom rod after top was already released and kick out the bottom of the door. I had to replace the bottom latch.