2003 Ford Explorer Rear Glass will not Secure

[Arconius]

My wife decided to open to tailgate glass instead of the entire tailgate, and now the tailgate will not secure. I observed the lock and the tumbler drops but the arm does not move. Once I unlock it, I can use pliers and spin the arm down, but it does not go down far enough to close the lift gate and cause it to catch and spin the lock closed.

I soaked it with WD40, removed some torn plastic thinking it was binding but nothing. I just want it shut so I can stop pulling the battery cable to get the lights off.

Any and all suggestions would be great. I cannot afford to take it into the shop till I get paid next Friday and its my only vehicle so pulling the battery every time is not really an option.

thanks

 

[Number4]

As far as the lights are concerned, just rotate the cluster dimmer switch until it clicks/locks off. Then the interior lights won't come on at all. Buy you some time at least.

 

[Arconius]

Well I figured out the problem....

The spring on the lock broke. So when the tailgate come down there is no pressure to release and the lock will not spin closed to lock.

And there in lies the rub... I cannot figure how to get the lock to close. I tried wrapping the lock with wire and pulling. String, cord etc.... With that lock bracket in the way nothing moves and it seems to be putting friction or something on the actual tumbler and I cannot make it spin closed.

It moves easily and freely with the tail gate up... I just cannot find a way to make it spin around the bracket to lock