You might be able to pop out the button and disconnect the harness (wiring) to the button so your kids won't keep messing with it. Keep in mind I'm not sure if this will disable the entire circuit because its no longer connected. Maybe other can chime in. If it's like the power window circuit, if one of the passenger button is disconnected, it should be still functional. Now if it was the main button, different story.

 

That was the first thing I did since no tool required. I pulled the column cover and unplugged the button. I assumed it's gonna kill the electric circuit, no it did not:frown:. With the button unplugged, the sliding door shut, and me inside the van I opened the door with the interior door handle, the door handle triggered the motor and I heard some sounds :frown:

 

Latching and sliding are two different and independent processes. Both cables on mine were cut by the previous owner but the door still latches with a motor if it isn't shut all the way manually. And latching is automatic.

Try it: Open the door from the outside and then close it but don't latch it. The door should latch itself. Mine's been like that for years and there's never been a problem. Just because the door is automatically latching doesn't mean the slider spool is operating.

 

Yes, I noticed that sliding and latching are different, but are they moved by the same motor? I'm thinking to unplug the motor, but afraid of loosing the latching mechanism.

 

Problem solved.
The slide and the latch are moved by to different motors. I removed the panel and reached the motor that rotates the cable spool and unplugged it. Also I unplugged the little tiny motor close to the door handle, the one that trigger the cable motor. And of course, the column button was unplugged first. Now the door will stay manual till I get the time to fix it while the other side is still powered.