Liftgate won't unlock

[daggbus]

I have a '99 Sport. The liftgate won't unlock now, the other two doors will. It won't unlock from the keyfob, or the inside unlock switch. Kinda sucks not being able to open the rear hatch...any ideas?
Thanks
Chris

 

[hunterdan]

I have a '99 Sport. The liftgate won't unlock now, the other two doors will. It won't unlock from the keyfob, or the inside unlock switch. Kinda sucks not being able to open the rear hatch...any ideas?
Thanks
Chris

If you stick the key in the lock in the back, does it lock or unlock? If thats the case, could just be the lock motor or whatever its called.

Dan

 

[Lee S.]

Sounds like the lock actuator.

 

[daggbus]

I forgot to mention that it won't unlock by the key either.

 

[Lee S.]

Do you hear any noise from tailgate when you push unlock on the key fob or the unlock switch ? If you do then the actuator is working and most likely one of those poorly designed plastic connectors became disengaged from the linkage....Already happened twice to me. If so, you'll have to remove the interior tailgate panel and reconnect it. I believe there are instructions somewhere on this site....really not all that difficult to do.

Lee

 

[daggbus]

Thanks, I will give that a try.

 

[hunterdan]

I forgot to mention that it won't unlock by the key either.

Might be worthwhile to get some graphite spray or lock lube and lube the lock. The tailgate on my old truck was like that, i could stick the key in and try and try to lock it, but it wouldnt lock. Lubed it up and it was good.

Dan

 

[daggbus]

well I got it open, the actuator is sticky, but the other thing that I noticed is that it is almost like the lock cylinder is stripped, when the key is turned it doesn't turn the lock.

 

[Lee S.]

3 times the tailgate on my 98 wouldn't unlock. First it was a shot actuator...you could hear the actuator motor spinning when pushing the unlock button but it didn't do anything...the gears inside the actuator were gone. The next 2 times it was the plastic connector attaching the linkage to the lock. You have a 99 and I would not think that your lock cylinder is shot but I guess it's possible. I would look for something simple first....especially since you say your actuator is "sticky".....double check the linkage connections at the lock mechanism and make sure something did not get disconnected that might be jamming it up. Then I would lube the mechanism good from the inside and see if this solves it.

Lee