Electronic Rear Hatch if Power Out? - Toyota 4Runner Forum

DennisW · 07-19-2010, 06:31 PM

Hi,

Anyone have any idea how to open the rear hatch in case of a power or other failure?

There wasn't anything in the manual and I could not find any release levers or anything.

Just wondering...

Thanks,

Dennis.

nashman69g · 07-19-2010, 06:55 PM

probably can't...You can still get in the drivers door so i guess the next step would be to restore power. You can't get locked in the rear so need for an emergency handle.

SeattleMike · 07-19-2010, 07:10 PM

On the tailgate, there is a small 3"x3" panel that pops out, behind which is a sheet of plastic, behind which is the manual release for the tailgate.

DennisW · 07-19-2010, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeattleMike

On the tailgate, there is a small 3"x3" panel that pops out, behind which is a sheet of plastic, behind which is the manual release for the tailgate.

I can somewhat access a solenoid looking thingy but couldn't find anything resembling a manual release... Do I need to cut out all the plastic?

Unfortunately, the box I built in back covers that hatch, so I'll have to figure out an access workaround...

Thanks!

Dennis.

Froggy · 07-19-2010, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DennisW

Hi,

Anyone have any idea how to open the rear hatch in case of a power or other failure?

There wasn't anything in the manual . . .

My manual (Owner's Manual?) must be different than yours. Page 595 has illustrations along with the following text: If you cannot operate back door opener

Remove the cover on the back door trim.

Tear the plastic film. Remove the cover.

Pull the lever.

Quentin · 07-19-2010, 07:54 PM

Which models have a power hatch? My SR5 doesn't.

SeattleMike · 07-19-2010, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DennisW

I can somewhat access a solenoid looking thingy but couldn't find anything resembling a manual release... Do I need to cut out all the plastic?

Unfortunately, the box I built in back covers that hatch, so I'll have to figure out an access workaround...

Thanks!

Dennis.

As Froggy pointed out, the latch is covered, leading me to believe that Toyota only added the access panel after some American lawyer started acting as if the world was ending because "trapped" people couldn't get out of the back door.

That being said, a thin wire rope crimped to the latch on one end and a t-handle on the other end might solve your particular problem.

DennisW · 07-19-2010, 08:50 PM

Thanks for the idea! A bit of tan paracord secured up the door might work for my emergency 1-time only use and may be a bit more clean.

I will have to check out my manual to see how I missed it...

Dennis.

nashman69g · 07-19-2010, 09:28 PM

well see that I keep learning new stuff...I'll have to keep a eye out for that panel...

Tuskilla · 11-26-2015, 12:03 PM

That worked like a charm, thank you. Now i need to figure out my window issue

MonkeyTwitch · 07-06-2022, 05:25 PM

I know this thread is old, but did you figure out your window issue? I can't roll mine down. Not sure where the fuses are at for the read window. Someone said it could be the motor itself, which are very hard to find.
I have to replace a brake light and can't get the tailgate down. I will try the "emergency" latch mentioned in this thread. But, would really like to get my window working again.

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