[mid9pitstop]

Greetings,

As the topic said, my 03 4runner's hatch door won't stay locked or latched. Consequently when the vehical moves, the hatch door starts to open (lifted upward).

I looked closely at the lockhole located on the hatch door. I pushed a small metal rod through the 'lockhole" located on the bottom of the hatch door (simulating a condtion when the door is being closed). I noticed that a small locking piece of metal started to grab on the rod very tie. I can hear a latching click. But, about 3 ~ 5 seconds later, it automatically unlatched and consequently dropped the rod.

My superstitious wife thought it was a "bad sign" from the flat screen TV that we were about to bring home from BestBuy store. After an hour, or longer, of trying to get the hatch door closed with no luck, I told the Bestbuy guys to take the flat screen TV back

After the TV was gone, the door still would not close
So, it wasn't because of the TV .

Any comments/suggestions would greatly be appreciated.

Cheers

[rook]

Originally posted by mid9pitstop
Greetings,

As the topic said, my 03 4runner's hatch door won't stay locked or latched. Consequently when the vehical moves, the hatch door starts to open (lifted upward).

I looked closely at the lockhole located on the hatch door. I pushed a small metal rod through the 'lockhole" located on the bottom of the hatch door (simulating a condtion when the door is being closed). I noticed that a small locking piece of metal started to grab on the rod very tie. I can hear a latching click. But, about 3 ~ 5 seconds later, it automatically unlatched and consequently dropped the rod.

My superstitious wife thought it was a "bad sign" from the flat screen TV that we were about to bring home from BestBuy store. After an hour, or longer, of trying to get the hatch door closed with no luck, I told the Bestbuy guys to take the flat screen TV back

After the TV was gone, the door still would not close
So, it wasn't because of the TV .

Any comments/suggestions would greatly be appreciated.

Cheers

The litgate consists of a door opener and a liftgate control module. If you have the time, inspect the mechanism, and test the electrical connections. It appears that the gate is getting a constant signal from the switch to open. Try closing the door and then immediately locking the truck, which should disable the rear liftgate switch. If it still unlocks itself, have a tech inspect the system.

Good luck.

[mid9pitstop]

Originally posted by rook
The litgate consists of a door opener and a liftgate control module. If you have the time, inspect the mechanism, and test the electrical connections. It appears that the gate is getting a constant signal from the switch to open. Try closing the door and then immediately locking the truck, which should disable the rear liftgate switch. If it still unlocks itself, have a tech inspect the system.

Good luck.

Do you know where the signal switch that controls the ON/OFF of the lock module is located?

Thanks!

[mid9pitstop]

Hello again,

I think I know why the back door doesn't stay latched.

The windshield was leaking and some good amount of water dropped inside the vehical. The water must have got into the circuitry that controls the back door.

Does anybody have Repair Manual Volume 1 that shows the location of the Back Door Closer Circuitry and would not mind putting it up here, please?

Meanwhile, I'm going to trace the wire from the back door all the way to the front.

Thanks in advance!
Cheers

[sorry4runner]

Here is my solution. I am going to disregard it. I put a bungee cord from the roof top carrier across the hatch and let it go at that. I refuse to bring it to a Toyota dealer for obvious reasons. (I don't have the money) in case you cannot guess. I only fix that which keeps me from moving forward down the road!

[Kmvreter]

Originally Posted by mid9pitstop

Greetings,

As the topic said, my 03 4runner's hatch door won't stay locked or latched...

This is a good thread about replacing the lock mechanism. DIY lift gate lock assembly

[V8Man]

I have the latch assembly.

[mattgrant345]

Did you ever get it fixed? I have the exact same problem with my 04. The drainage holes in the back door got clogged and thus the door was filling with water and getting all over the door latch actuator. Did you just replace the actuator as in DIY lift gate lock assembly ? I just don't want to buy the part and wait however long just to find out the electrical problem was elsewhere and the latch was getting a phantom signal somehow

[r32]

I have the exact same problem as well. Hatch will just creep open while I'm driving down the road. Even came all the way open on the freeway. :O

I used bungee cords to keep it closed. Then one day, I was cleaning and removed the bungee cords to clean the car. I forgot to put them back in and now the hatch stays locked again. WTF?

Then about 3 months later, the problem returned, and I did the bungee thing again. Yet, I removed the bungee cords after a few months to load some stuff. And now it stays shut again.

I figure it must have something to do with the electrical because I took apart the door and the latch mechanism does not appear to broke. Never did find a fix though and figure it will eventually have the problem again.

I posted about the same problem here:
Latch problem on back hatch

Read this thread on possible fix
Rear Hatch Won't Stay Closed

[Mach1azuress]

This same issue happened on Lexus ES 330 a few months ago. The trunk wouldn't lock shut then randomly it would lock for a while. Replaced the trunk lock assembly and it works every time.

[Swimupstream]

So this thread is 10y old and the newest reply a yr old, but can't find anything closer.

I am in between.... mine is latched, but not completely, and won't disemgage. So basically it is loosely closed.

Can't get the back panel off bc it won't open, and the small panel opening doesn't tell me anything wout destroying the weather barrier.

Can't lock the car by remote and had to turn off the dome lights. Lol

Just want to figure out how to open the trunk at the moment...

[Swimupstream]

Here is my solution, lesson learned, and simple peace of mind. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-ge...ml#post2998625

[goose17]

I just started having this issue today on my 2008. I took the trim piece off the back where the Toyota emblem is located so that I could plasti dip it. When I put everything back together the lift gate won't fully close and won't open. Everything is back the way it came from the factory. Were your able to find a solution? Thank you

Originally Posted by Swimupstream

So this thread is 10y old and the newest reply a yr old, but can't find anything closer.

I am in between.... mine is latched, but not completely, and won't disemgage. So basically it is loosely closed.

Can't get the back panel off bc it won't open, and the small panel opening doesn't tell me anything wout destroying the weather barrier.

Can't lock the car by remote and had to turn off the dome lights. Lol

Just want to figure out how to open the trunk at the moment...

[Lisfin]

The problem with rear hatch latching shut and than a second or 2 later unlatching is because of the switch on the assembly. For some reason the switch thinks its in the open position and causes the actuator to open even when it should be closed. The fix is to buy a new latch assembly or try to fix this switch , but it is most likely wore out and needs to be replaced.