Looking to buy a local 1999 4R but.....

[Bex]

I have tried search and not found anything concerning the lock coming loose.
There is an issue with the lock on the rear hatch.
Its not present, just a hole. Seller says its fallen inside the panel and is an easy panel remove fix.
Is it?
The hatch is currently locked AND the window will only go down about 5 inches and then binds. The seller says its binding because of the lock issue.
Is that likely?
There is a brake light out and I cannot get an inspection pass without that light. The hatch is locked. Can the bulb be replaced in that situation before the hatch is repaired.

Many thanks

 

[a216vcti]

I have tried search and not found anything concerning the lock coming loose.
There is an issue with the lock on the rear hatch.
Its not present, just a hole. Seller says its fallen inside the panel and is an easy panel remove fix.
Is it?
The hatch is currently locked AND the window will only go down about 5 inches and then binds. The seller says its binding because of the lock issue.
Is that likely?
There is a brake light out and I cannot get an inspection pass without that light. The hatch is locked. Can the bulb be replaced in that situation before the hatch is repaired.

Many thanks

How is it going to pass inspection with the hatch being unable to open? To answer you question, you will need to be able to open the hatch in order to change the rear brake lights.

 

[agloukhoff]

I have tried search and not found anything concerning the lock coming loose.
There is an issue with the lock on the rear hatch.
Its not present, just a hole. Seller says its fallen inside the panel and is an easy panel remove fix.
Is it?
The hatch is currently locked AND the window will only go down about 5 inches and then binds. The seller says its binding because of the lock issue.
Is that likely?
There is a brake light out and I cannot get an inspection pass without that light. The hatch is locked. Can the bulb be replaced in that situation before the hatch is repaired.

Many thanks

If it were an easy fix - they'd have fixed it!

Why would they sell a vehicle with an "easy fix"? They'd FIX it - then sell it.

Yes the panel is easy to remove. Yes the lock could be blocking the window from sliding down. Or it could be a lot worse.

Assume the worst case scenario. The lock is totally broken. The window rails are broken. The window motor is broken.

 

[Bex]

How is it going to pass inspection with the hatch being unable to open? To answer you question, you will need to be able to open the hatch in order to change the rear brake lights.

Thanks

If it were an easy fix - they'd have fixed it!

Why would they sell a vehicle with an "easy fix"? They'd FIX it - then sell it.

Yes the panel is easy to remove. Yes the lock could be blocking the window from sliding down. Or it could be a lot worse.

Assume the worst case scenario. The lock is totally broken. The window rails are broken. The window motor is broken.

Yeah, I wondered that. Thanks. I think I will get back to him and offer to buy it once these two issues are addressed.

 

[Troybylt]

It's really not so bad to fix I've done it. The hardest part will be removeing the big plastic trim piece covering the access pannel bolts. Remove the pull close strap's 10mm bolt. Then pry the big platic trim off starting at the bottom and working your way up each side. It then it lifts out the top. Here you can see that there's about 12 or so 10mm (If I recall correctly) bots that hold in a 1/16th inch stamped steel cover piece once removed (becarful there's some electrical boxes mounted on the back side with wires for the lock and window motors. Once you have the cover off you can access the lock actuator bar. Unlock the hatch and open it. Once it's above your head you can access the bolts that hold the license plate bezel on and see that The lock screws into the bezel with 2 small screws. Kinda a poor design if you ask me. Two small sheet metal screws into a piece of brittle plastic? Yeah, bad.

More than likely they have cracked where they screw in and the lock has broken loose and you will need a new bezel from a junkyard.

As for the tail light. Once you have the hatch open its two philips screws to remove the lamp housing then the bulb will twist left a quarter turn or so and pull out. Bulb then just pulls out of the socket.