Help: Manually opening Rear hatch

[rwh963]

i can hear the actuator operating, but the latch won't release. I would like to manually open the hatch. I believe it can be done from the inside. I have removed a small panel on the interior of the hatch. I unbolted the pull strap. I cut through the inner plastic. I see several cables as well as a white plastic item which i assume is the actuator. I can get my arm well into that area, but don't feel any lever or mechanism to manually release the latch. I've included some pics.

 

[Hungryhawk]

There are a couple threads where owners opened that white actuator and attached a cord so they could have a manual release from inside by pulling the cord. They drilled a hole in the white thing to lead the cord out. There is no lever open to easy access.
Mostly for camping.
Try searching youtube- and both runner sites.

 

[rwh963]

i thought i had read that it is best to remove the interior hatch panel, and there was a manual method to release the catch. never heard about drilling or opening the white case. i'll have to look around.

 

[88Center]

Toyota 4Runner Interior Hatch Release Mod and New Exterior Hatch Switch:

Toyota 4Runner Interior Hatch Release Mod and New Exterior Hatch Switch

also google image "4runner inside hatch door"

Some good pics and diagrams.

 

[MikeinNH67]

There's a small door in the plastic hatch cover, the latch is behind that so look at the cover for where it is.

BTW, since you hear the motor running, I would bet it's the latch itself at the bottom of the door that is rusted stuck. Have someone hit the external button so the motor unlatches then try pushing from the inside. It may take some effort, mine took quite a push with my feet.

 

[rwh963]

i think i discovered the latch. there is a removeable white plastic cover on the interior left hand side of the actuator assembly. there is a metal lever handle under it. it mainly goes down, so that must be the right direction. i tried multiple times, but the latch did not release. i shot pb blaster into the latch area, hopefully it will loosen the the latch enough to release.

 

[rwh963]

just read this good thread. so, big lever down, small lever up. just went out and tried that. did not release the door. the inner panel is still on. did not disconnect the power plug. tried removing the panel like that person did, but no luck so far. i don't yet know where the clips are either.
How to Manually Release Rear Hatch with Pictures

 

[MikeinNH67]

Ah, I forgot about the white cover but that is the correct area. I think all that does is release the latch but the mechanism itself can freeze on the pin it rotates on and maybe to the case. It's back to the push with your feet from the inside on the middle bottom while manipulating the levers. I did also give it a regimen of PBblaster.

The large plastic cover is hard to remove from the inside and probably not something you want to do in freezing winter. I recall screws for the pull down handle and maybe 2 more behind little covers? It's been awhile. Otherwise mostly clips that just pull straight out. One video below showing it, there's probably more.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAGnfLubmlU

 

[rwh963]

got the inner plastic panel removed, and stripped back the plastic sheeting. doing it in cold weather means the black adhesive is less gooey.

i was hoping by gaining access i would be able to work the levers (btw, the video clip below says both levers go UP; another one said the big lever went down and the little went up. i've been doing it that way!).

unfortunately, the levers are not releasing the latch. i've been spraying penetrating fluids into the mechanism. i tried to remove the white casing, but it won't slide up. not sure what i will do if i can't release the latch. i need to unbolt the whole assembly from the bottom of the hatch, so need the door open to do that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSNMyV9ZOfE

 

[SocalSam]

There's a small door in the plastic hatch cover, the latch is behind that so look at the cover for where it is.

BTW, since you hear the motor running, I would bet it's the latch itself at the bottom of the door that is rusted stuck. Have someone hit the external button so the motor unlatches then try pushing from the inside. It may take some effort, mine took quite a push with my feet.

Catch hoop corrodes with can cause latch mech to stick. Reverse catch hoop to present clean side to the latch mech. Pressing down one the hatch using the outside handle will reduce tension on the latch mech enough for the latch mech to release.

Yes, manual release is behind the little door. There is a lever to release.

 

[rwh963]

no luck releasing the latch yet. working alone for now. not sure if the penetrating fluid reaches the area i need it to.

 

[MikeinNH67]

no luck releasing the latch yet. working alone for now. not sure if the penetrating fluid reaches the area i need it to.

It's a tough spot to get to with the door closed. Hopefully you get it soon.

 

[Hungryhawk]

Perhaps pressing inward on the outside bottom of the hatch (a helpers hand) while manipulating the release levers you exposed in the white latch mechanism. It might release tension on latch?

Have you shot some PB blaster into the area between the hatch and frame to get some lube on that fixed "hoop" (attached on the frame) that the latch clicks onto?
I read some owners adjusted the steel hoop rearward to repair latches that were not releasing properly.

 

[rwh963]

being winter, i will leave the back panel off and inner hatch exposed. i'll keep trying to get it working. might have to destroy the white plastic case to fully access the mechanism from inside.