Sliding door handle operation

Hi I have just put the sliding door back on after fixing a lot of broken parts and wear! I don't think my door handle works correctly, I give the door a good slam and it shuts well, I believe what I'm supposed to do is slowly shut it until it catches and lift the handle to pull the rear in? Is that the way it's supposed to work? If it is does it catch at the front and how does it pull the rear in?
My bay is a 73.

 

The pulling-in bit was earlyish Bays, I think. The later ones just used a run and a slam.

Is your slider keyhole in the handle or in the door?

 

There should be a cable and a rod running between the handle end and the other end of the door. Can't remember which one it is, but when you lift the handle, one of them operates the catch that pulls it in a bit more.

 

They were still using early sliders on '73MY vans.

 

The lock is in the handle, it seems to work ok and shuts quite well, you have to give it a shove to overcome the spring in the hinge i guess. I just wondered what the upwards action on the handle is for as it doesn't do anything and did read its supposed to pull the door in.

 

It does - it pulls the door in an extra notch. However, sometimes if you slam it hard enough, the action of the back of the door tucking in is violent enough to take it that one notch further without lifting the handle. You need to shut the door with enough pace to allow it to catch, but without being too violent. Then you lift the handle and the back end clicks in the extra notch.

 

I might need to adjust the rod. If I shut it slowly by bringing it to then helping the rear in just until it clicks I try the handle and it doesn't do anything. Having said that it doesn't look like it needs to come in any more.

 

and you still should lift the handle because it also sends an extra togue out the front securing the front catch. However, if you look at the one that stick out permanently, it has a point sticking down. This must get right over the lock keep/latch to allow the top one to come out, and the rear to pull in when you lift the handle. So, if nothing, maybe your door needs moving forwards so this latch can do it's stuff. Clear as mud?