DIY lift gate lock assembly

[wida]

my 04 tailgate is doing just the opposite--the motor pulls the hatch in but then releases it so it doesn't stay closed and you can just pull it open--is there any way to get it to hold again or do i need to replace the lock assembly ?

 

[StockRunnerMick]

Would your gate open if you pressed hard on the door (like leaning ALL your weight on it)?
I've had that problem forever, and haven't found any answers for it. I wonder if this will fix it?

Mine will open when it wants to, like while driving and will also sometimes be able to pull it free as you state above. And it will also sound like it is going to open but wont, like the OP said.

Will buying the new assembly fix this???

 

[oblivionis]

my 04 tailgate is doing just the opposite--the motor pulls the hatch in but then releases it so it doesn't stay closed and you can just pull it open--is there any way to get it to hold again or do i need to replace the lock assembly ?

Mine will open when it wants to, like while driving and will also sometimes be able to pull it free as you state above. And it will also sound like it is going to open but wont, like the OP said.

Will buying the new assembly fix this???

This sounds like it's that same part failing in different ways.

 

[doucettedave]

Just wondering how you got the liftgate open if the motor had died?

 

[doucettedave]

Wondering the same. Mine is stuck closed.

 

[Lamancha55]

My small lever is not working. Help

Good question, I was worried about that too before I started. If you look at the first picture, on the left side of the old part you can see two levers. Pulling on the smaller one opens the latch.

Also, I don't think slamming the gate causes the problem. The part looks and feels very sturdy and solid. I think dirt getting inside the assembly is the problem. And looks like Toyota knows that too because the new part has insulation around the bottom of the new part while the old one did not have that.

thanks for an really great post!

I took the panel off and tried to use the small lever to get the gate open but nothing happened.
:wtf:

Am I totally screwed now??

 

[isuweller]

my 04 tailgate is doing just the opposite--the motor pulls the hatch in but then releases it so it doesn't stay closed and you can just pull it open--is there any way to get it to hold again or do i need to replace the lock assembly ?

Did you replace the rear lock assembly and did it correct the problem? In another thread, i read that the dealership replaced this guy's ECU first, then he went back and they replaced the lock assembly. From the various threads i've read, including this one, the problem of the tailgate not unlatching can be isolated to a faulty rear lock assembly. I can't say that i've come across a definitive answer on a tailgate that won't latch. I've removed the assembly and held it in my hand while it cycles into the latch position and then back to unlatched. My instinct is that the issue is with the ECU. Please advise if you've resolved/isolated the problem.

 

[Punkinhead]

Just wondering how you got the liftgate open if the motor had died?

Bumping an old thread since I couldn't find the answer to this and if someone is Googling this problem in the future I'd like them to find an answer.

The best way would be to get the panel off the inside of the hatch, but that'd be a tough job without the door open. You might be able to do it though. If you get the panel off, remove the thick Saran wrap like stuff. It's put on with some tarry substance that comes off pretty easily with a little help from a plastic spatula. Next remove the little whitish/clearish cover off the passenger side of the lock motor. There'll be two levers. Pull up on the smaller of the two that's towards the bottom of the door.

There might be another way to do it if you can't get the inside panel off. There's a little plastic cover about 3" on a side near the bottom center of the inside panel. You can reach is from outside with the window down. Pry it out with a screwdriver and you'll see some thick yellowish Saran wrap like stuff. Cut a hole in this. Next you'll have to get the little cover off the side of the latch motor which is below the hole, towards the bottom of the hatch. I suspect this will be pretty tough to reach. Once the cover is off you can reach in and down pull up on the smaller lever nearest the bottom it'll unlock the hatch.

My door latch is intermittent so when I finally got it open with the key I removed the back panel, removed the Saran wrap, removed the cover over the levers then put the panel back on (without the Saran wrap). Now I can reach through that hole and unlatch the door until I get a new latch motor ordered and installed. I suggest anyone with an intermittent latch do the same if you manage to get the door open - it'll make your life a lot easier if the latch finally dies for good. You could even leave the plastic panel off, but the top of it acts as a guide for the rear window so it doesn't rub on the metal so I don't recommend it.

 

[scrooster]

Well ... the latch went out on our 2004 4runner rear door - bad timing as we were trying to load groceries back there this morning with a car full of kids. Ended-up having to pass groceries through the back door and then over the back seat ... getting them back out was even tougher.

Shame on Toyota for letting this be such a major problem.

I guess I am going to have to read the how-to, go spend $200.00 (or more by now probably) and deal with a half of day of messing with it.

Damnit.

Thanks for this thread though. It sure answered my question in a hurry.

 

[Ryangriffith]

Excellent write up - better even than the description in my manual. I've tried pushing down on the small lever to get the gate open, even cycling the locks between attempts, but I've been unable to get the gate open. Any suggestions, or do I need to take it to my Toyota dealer this time?

 

[onthejob]

15 Minute Repair

Great write up. Mine would not latch. Lots of salt here in Rochester which is probably why mine went. Ordered the part for $200 with free shipping and arrived in three days. Took me 15 minutes to install. I unplugged the computer module in the liftgate while I swapped out the latch. Plugged everything back in and turned ignition to "ON". Gate closed and latched but would not open so I used the key in the liftgate and turned it to lock and unlock. Works perfectly now.

 

[Bacon]

fukeneh! just found this thread after driving around for more than a month using a cord to open my back hatch. I replaced the latch unit a while back but then the door wouldn't open. just read this thread, unplugged the computer on the back hatch for about 10 seconds, plugged it back in and voila! thank you!

 

[scrooster]

I had a problem with mine, as evidenced earlier, but then it miraculously started working again.

This time it is gone for good. Glad I found this old thread - took me forever - but I'm book marking it this time.

 

[Zenon]

Excellent Tutorial

Glad I did a search or the computer thing would have been frustrating. Nothing worse than taking it to Toyota with your tail between you legs.

Someone asked what the string is for. After installing the replacement unit take the tape off but don't remove the string yet and keep the gate open.

After unplugging the computer the locking part worked but the unlock would not activate. You can use a screwdriver to press on the latch to make it lock. If it will not unlock you can pull on the string which is connected to the mechanical assembly to unlock it while you trouble shoot. Beats crawling into the back through the rear door.

I tried a few things and finally locked and unlocked all doors via remote starter and the unlock thing activated.

Awesome!

 

[mjlmjl]

Great write up. Mine would not latch. Lots of salt here in Rochester which is probably why mine went. Ordered the part for $200 with free shipping and arrived in three days. Took me 15 minutes to install. I unplugged the computer module in the liftgate while I swapped out the latch. Plugged everything back in and turned ignition to "ON". Gate closed and latched but would not open so I used the key in the liftgate and turned it to lock and unlock. Works perfectly now.

I have a similar problem with the hatch - where it would NOT lock.

I've read so much about the hatch NOT opening that I have a few questions about my problem - which is the opposite.

The locking mechanism costs $450 Cdn at the dealership and not sure how much the ECU costs. Since both parts are electrical/electronic - they won't take back the units if I swop out the parts and it doesn't solve my problem.

===The problem ===

2007 4Runner, driven in typical Canadian winters with lots of salt on the roads.

My back hatch/door will not stay locked.

I would close the door as usual and the door mechanism engages. So it seems. It closes the door normally by pulling it in the last few inches. Everything seems fine - UNTIL I gently lift the door. The door then opens.

Again, the locking mechanism pulls the door shut and engages, BUT it doesn't hold it (the door) in place. In fact, I drove out from a parking lot - and the hatch popped opened.

So -I'm thinking - it's either the locking mechanism (cost=$450) and/or the ECU unit (cost = ??).

I haven't had the chance to try connecting and disconnecting the power to the ECU (Electronic Control Unit) yet. It's minus 15C - so I'll wait till it warms up to try that.

If disconnecting and reconnecting the power to the ECU doesn't fix it, is there a way to determine if the problem is the locking mechanism - or - the ECU - WITHOUT having to buy the units to troubleshoot?

Does anyone have experience to tell which part is defective based on the above description?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Kmvreter]

I have a similar problem with the hatch - where it would NOT lock.

I've read so much about the hatch NOT opening that I have a few questions about my problem - which is the opposite...

Doesn't sound like your issue is with the ECU because the mechanism is trying to work and latch the door. It just isn't mechanically holding the latch in the closed position. I think the prior post to yours can help you with some of the diagnosis.
Follow the post to expose the mechanism. Not sure of the details (maybe someone else will chime in) but "use a screwdriver to press on the latch to make it lock". This may help free it up or hold it temporarily until you replace the mechanism. Might be worth calling around the scrapyards or online is cheaper.
Keep us posted.

 

[mjlmjl]

Doesn't sound like your issue is with the ECU because the mechanism is trying to work and latch the door. It just isn't mechanically holding the latch in the closed position. I think the prior post to yours can help you with some of the diagnosis.
Follow the post to expose the mechanism. Not sure of the details (maybe someone else will chime in) but "use a screwdriver to press on the latch to make it lock". This may help free it up or hold it temporarily until you replace the mechanism. Might be worth calling around the scrapyards or online is cheaper.
Keep us posted.

Thanks Kmvreter.

I had a chance to trouble shoot a bit more now that the weather has co-operated.

I removed the locking mechanism and cleaned up the dirt/oil/salts, etc.

I re-connected the mechanism to the ECU, but did not fully re-install the lock in place. I want to simulate the hatch closing by using a screwdriver and what the parts moving.

I moved the latch into a locking position - which simulates the hatch being closed. The motor was activated and it locks the latch into place.

HOWEVER, within a second the motor works again - and reverses the locking action! Essentially - the motor goes back into the hatch open position and unlocks the latch. That's why the hatch/door is able to be opened with a simple, light pull.

I read in the shop manual that if the ECU failed - it should produce an error code with the on board computer. So - I connected the CanOBD-2 code reader and found that there is no error code. This means - it must be the lock mechanism assembly.

So - I guess I take a chance and order it (PN 69110-35090) on line for $200 instead of buying it for $450 at the dealership.

Will let you know...

 

[Boat.nick]

2006 4runner

Great info on the tail gate, mine failed in the same way. However on the 2006 model there is a small cover which is left of the centre part on the trim panel, I removed that peeled back the plastic and took of the left side cover which you referred to as a possible cause, you mentioned that yours had come loose. I pushed down on the lever and and presto. After closing the tailgate I checked if it would open and sure enough it did.... So would recommend owners try this method prior to purchasing new mechanism.
Also and most important anyone who has not resolved the problem or does not have the small access panel on the interior gate trim they should consider the consequences of a flat tyre since the the wind down access hole is only accessible with the tail gate open, this freaked me out which is what prompted me to find an alternative method to opening the tailgate, I guess if you did not have the access panel once the trim is removed you could make a small whole after careful measuring in the trim panel and save some moola:beer::beer:

 

[slyangel9]

Thx, this would be helpful in the future

 

[dta1984]

Just wanted to say I just did this lock replacement on my 4runner. Thanks to this thread it was a very simple job. Took approximately 20 min. I did the rear window re learn procedure and the lock worked perfectly afterwards.