Rear hatch door handle not working

[txlonghorn]

The rear hatch door handle on my 1998 4Runner just quit working today when I tried to pull on it to open the door. I'd noticed over the last few weeks that it was acting a bit weird. In that just pulling on the handle wouldn't open the door. I'd have to put my hand on the right side of the handle when I pulled to open it. There is still resistance so it isn't that something broke or came loose but pulling on it won't open the hatch door. I am definitely worried about breaking something in just trying to get the interior panel off the door just to check it out. Has anyone done this or know where some instructions/tips might be found? Any help would be greatly appreciated. It is 16 years old this year and things are just starting to break. It's been a great 16 though! Thanks!!

 

[txlonghorn]

Update: Based on reading some other threads here I tried to open the rear hatch door while applying pressure on the door and that worked. So, attempting to open the door with my right hand while even lightly applying pressure on the door causes it to work (open the door) like a champ. Anyone know what might the problem might be?

 

[wc11]

Check the actual latch on the door.
With the door open, close the latch with a screwdriver.
Then open with the handle and see if it spring open freely.

Mine kept sticking all summer.
I had to sometime pound the door with my fist for it to release.
It was just caked up old grease over the years.
Scraped it all out and used up a whole can of WD40 to wash it all out.
Works like a charm now.

 

[spongerx]

Mine does the same thing. Spray some WD40 up in the handle and pull the handle a bunch of times. Works for me. A have to reapply every couple of months.

 

[txlonghorn]

In trying to also check out why my rear hatch light wasn't working when the door was opened (but worked fine when the switch was set to "light") I tried slamming the door hard a few times and voila! It works. Fyi, the door handle also works now. So I think it is just gunk and dust accumulation over the years. Should I take the lock off, clean it up and spray a little wd40 in there too? I don't want to just spray a bunch of wd40 into the handle area as spongerx suggested.

 

[TakeitApart]

The tab on the handle mechanism that engages the tab on the latch mechanism inside the door is bent. It's a very common problem with 4Runners and Sequoias. You can usually get away with bending it back a few times before you ultimately end up needing a new handle assy.

 

[wc11]

I did use half a can of WD40 while scarping out the gunk.
It was more as a chemical washl for me.
The re coated with white lithium grease.
No need to redo after greasing.