The tailgate on my 2006 SE seems to lock and unlock fine, but I can't open it. I confirmed unlocking through the small access panel, and I can see the mechanism moving when I squeeze the outside handle, but the door is not releasing.
What do I do next?
Tailgate won't open. Any suggestions?
Moderator: volvite
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VStar650CL
- Posts: 601
- Joined: Wed Dec 09, 2020 6:19 pm
Re: Tailgate won't open. Any suggestions?
IIRC there should be a little removable panel at the base of the back door trim panel, and an emergency release lever accessible through it. If the release lever opens it then chances are you just have a stretched or loose cable which isn't pulling the cam far enough to release the latch. If the emergency lever won't open it then you have a real problem, it means either the latch is broken or something is jamming it to the point where it won't release. That happens rarely, but sometimes the only solution is to remove the whole panel and chisel the latch apart.
Re: Tailgate won't open. Any suggestions?
Yes, I opened that panel, but the lever in there is the lock. I can see it go up and down when I lock and unlock with the fob. I don't see or feel another lever for the latch release.
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VStar650CL
- Posts: 601
- Joined: Wed Dec 09, 2020 6:19 pm
Re: Tailgate won't open. Any suggestions?
Aargh, some of them don't have one. The part pic for yours shows one, but I guess not on your vehicle. If you can reach the arm where the cable attaches with a hook or finger, try pulling up hard on it. The actuators on R51's are in the window latch mechanism and connect to the hatch lock with a cable, so dodgy cables or a weak actuator are usually where problems happen. Finding a way to give it a little more pull will usually pop the lock. You may need to remove the whole inner panel and not just go through the service hole.
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BenjaminWright
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Fri Jul 05, 2024 12:21 am
Re: Tailgate won't open. Any suggestions?
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