Liftgate - handle does not work, opened manually, still no worky

[Ed H]

The liftgate handle was acting up for several weeks. It felt like only 1 side was connected, but still opened. Today, the handle lifts up but it does not unlock. I manually opened the liftgate from the inside, but it took a LOT of doing. A total PITA.

I pulled the cover to expose the assembly and it is in bad shape. Rusty, dirty, not free-moving, and I fear pieces might be missing (I have only had the truck for 6-7 months). After spraying with WD40 and manually moving what I can, the latch handle still does not work. I can see the "lever" the handle is supposed to actuate, but it doesn't when I pull the handle. Also, the handle does not seat fully against the truck. It's like a spring is missing because I have to push it back into place.

I searched the OS (almost everything is archived with no pics), and this site to no avail.

Does someone have a schematic showing how this assembly is supposed to work? I tried to search the service manuals, but my PC is so slow I, I lost patience. A 268-page .pdf will put the hurt on my old PC.

ANY and ALL help, photos, schematics, or links are greatly appreciated!

 

[Robbabob]

I bet there are a few diagrams members can give, they just need to see this post to get them to you.

Good luck!

 

[Ed H]

I fixed it.

Long story short, corrosion on the mechanism made it difficult to actuate the latch - even manually from inside the truck. It was so tight, the metal piece that "folds over" the plastic latch handle on the outside of the truck actually straightened out - no longer engaging the latch handle. I would pull the latch, but nothing would happen.

I lubed the hell out of the mechanism, bent the bracket back so it caught the latch handle again, and Boo Yah!

 

[Sparky]

Sounds like what happened to mine, except for the glass release portion (rest wasn't in too great of shape either). Glad you got it lubed back up and fixed.