System and method for controlling vehicle sliding door

A system for controlling a vehicle sliding door driven by an electric motor powered by a battery, the system comprising:

• means for generating a motor control signal operative to activate the motor such that motor imparts a first selected force to the door and moves the door;
• means for generating a plurality of signal pulses in response to movement of the door;
• means for processing the plurality of signal pulses to determine a door speed and a door position;
• means for generating a motor control signal at a selected door position operative to activate the motor such that the motor imparts a second selected force to the door, the motor control signal being based on the door speed;
• means for counting a first set of the plurality of signal pulses, the first set having a first time period associated therewith;
• means for counting a second set of the plurality of signal pulses, the second set having a second time period associated therewith;
• means for comparing the first time period to the second time period;
• and
• means for generating a motor control signal operative to deactivate the motor when the first time period exceeds a selected percentage of the second time period.