Hello all.... i have been searching all over the net for some help with this problem. Here is what happened. one day while door closed (rear hch), it just stopped working. No clicking or anything. Just seems to be dead. rear wiper works, all windows have been normalized, rear defrost and window works normally. It just stopped....!!!! i tried disconnecting the battery a few times now and leaving it disconnected for 15 mins each time. Then upon reconnecting, normalized the drivers window, rear window, and thought i read some where to open and close door locks on driver side panel and on remote. Still nothing.....
So i tried looking at how to get it open to remove rear panel. I cant find or see a way...... the only thing i see on the rear panel is a single small panel that i can gently pry off, but then i am met by a orange or yellowish plastic coverioodng on inside, appearing to be covering the entire back hatch. Outside on the handly, i dont see anything to allow me to gain access to the hatch... or open it manually... there must be a way to open it if either the motors burnt or the electric latch fails? atleast i would hope so....... anyone offer any ideas? it doesnt have its own fuse for the rear motor or electric latch by chance? all other locks work fine and normally?? This isnt looking good!

you are on the right track...the access port is where you get into the latch...problem is, you cannot see what you need to do..you have to cut the plastic film and then find a way to pull the latch lever. here is a picture


the circled part is the lever, the other red part is the latch....NOTE..this picture is sideways the right side is the bottom.

hope this helps..

Yes it helped so much and was exactly what i was looking for. I popped the cover, and there was the plastic wrap. Cut it and first thing there in front of it was a large hard plastic cover, enclosing the latching mechanism. the smaller end in front of the opening removes to the side. It exposes 2 levers. the first one and closest to the inside of the cab, it controls the automated locking lever when closing. the second lever closest to the outside wall, it lifts up and opens the hatch. I couldnt find info to do this anywhere.... thank you so much Toy2g. Now, next question is, how to i remove the back panel. I was presuming there would be a few screws to take out or something, but nothing. Is it friction fit in with tabs? any place in particular to remove carefully by prying? or just pop it out? the locking section of the hatch works fine, so i am hoping its just the switch is faulty? the switch appears dead?

the little pull strap has a screw in it and that may be the only one..I forget.. I think it sits down in the window Chanel so you have to pick up and out on it.. good luck.

ok, got off the rear panel, first the pull strap, then it has those clips that have to be gently pried up on to remove, then yep, it slid up and off...... from there i might be at my end of the line though. that rear door is full of wiring harnesses. I am not sure how to check if its the pushbutton switch to release the hatch, if its the hatch release motor? i might and take a look around to see if theres a schematic somewhere so i can bring it to a mechanic so he doesnt waste my money looking for one and not end up just replacing both as an easy fix. Thanks again.

the more likely problem is the exterior handle or a dedicated fuse(not sure if there is one)

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