Rear tailgate won't open.

[pop058]

I am have issues opening the rear liftgate. Pushing the button initiate the mechanism but does not open the hatch. It sounds like it is trying to unlatch but it is not happening. Is there a manually release or party trick to open the hatch ??

TIA

[Hoges]

If I recall...you need to get yourself into the rear compartment and remove the panel from the tailgate structure with plastic trim levers sufficiently to get access to the latch mechanism . Once you've done that, you can manipulate the rods which connect the solenoid to the latches on each side of the tail gate (pull them simultaneously towards the centre)...they may have become dislodged...
I hope my memory is better than my forgettery![bighmmm]
cheers

[prelude]

your memory is fine mate :)

This however operates the lower tailgate and not the upper one. So you still won't be able to open the upper lift part. That lock/latch is situated inside the upper part and I am not sure how to reach it. From memory it sits behind the plastic cover also containing the brake light. I'll check it out on my wrecker later this day!

Cheers,
-P