My tailgate won't open

[jhoch]

Hi,

I have a 98 Sport,

and for some reason my tailgate won't open even though it is unlocked. It kinda acts like it is locked, there is no action when the handle is pulled, no matter if the doors are locked or unlocked.

Sometimes the handle will click like it is trying to open it, but the tailgate will not budge.

If it means anything, the button/lock for the tailgate sticks in sometimes.

Thanks in advance,

Jonathan

 

[jhoch]

some further information:

I went out and started toying with the back tailgate.

For some reason, when you open and shut it the first time, I think it is locking itself again.

Because if you go hit the unlock button upfront, usually the door works fine until you shut it again. It ocassionally will work for the rear unlock and lock button like such.

puzzling......

 

[Lee S.]

I had 2 separate problems with my rear tailgate, neither of which seem like the same thing you're describing but maybe they are related.

First, I could not lock my tailgate. When I hit the button I would hear a whirling sound like it was trying to lock but it didn't. Took off the inside tailgate panel and discovered the lock actuator was bad. The part cost about $75.00 at Ford and I replaced it and everything worked fine.

Second, I could no longer open the tailgate with the handle. I heard a pop one day when using the handle and it wouldn't work after that. Took the trim panel apart again and found that one of those little plastic clips that hold the metal bars running from the latches to the handle had popped open. With the bar dislodged from the clip it made one of the latches inoperable and stuck shut. I reattached the bar to the clip and everything is working fine again.

Sorry I couldn't be more help with your problem.

Lee