Tailgate faliure

[t4r4life]

so i was loading my runner today and i had too much stuff in the cargo area so when i close the tail gate i had to really push/slam it to get it to shut and I've done this before and no problem at all, but today when i closed my hatch i had to slam it pretty hard when i go back to open it hatch it wont open just stays locked, tried unlock the car and unlock the hatch with the key a couple of times no luck, i don't feel and resistance and clicking noise when i use the handle, which lead me to believe the cable snapped ? but because i cant get the hatch to open cant really do anything, what should i do other than going to the dealer.

 

[koulee]

Umm ... have some1 on the inside pushing on the tailgate while you depress the handle and try to pull it open perhaps?

 

[cj80cruiser]

so i was loading my runner today and i had too much stuff in the cargo area so when i close the tail gate i had to really push/slam it to get it to shut and I've done this before and no problem at all, but today when i closed my hatch i had to slam it pretty hard when i go back to open it hatch it wont open just stays locked, tried unlock the car and unlock the hatch with the key a couple of times no luck, i don't feel and resistance and clicking noise when i use the handle, which lead me to believe the cable snapped ? but because i cant get the hatch to open cant really do anything, what should i do other than going to the dealer.

Or move the stuff in the back out of the way so the tailgate can fully close and see if that helps.

 

[t4r4life]

Umm ... have some1 on the inside pushing on the tailgate while you depress the handle and try to pull it open perhaps?

the problem is the handle isnt engaging so idk

 

[t4r4life]

Or move the stuff in the back out of the way so the tailgate can fully close and see if that helps.

it did fully close when i close the hatch i thought it was stuck because all of the cargo in the back so i removed all the stuff pushing againt the hatch but still no luck

 

[animal]

if there is play in the handle sounds like the assy. might be jammed or broken due to being forced. Might need to pry it open or just take it to the dealer and see what magic they can work.

 

[marcel]

when i bought my car this exact same thing happened and it literally just fixed itself one day when i tried opening it. hasnt broken again....

 

[t4r4life]

Pull off the inside trim and you can reach the mechanism (there is a rod on the driver's side I believe that you want to pull) to manually release it. That will get you open, then trying closing it to see if the problem is still there. Sounds like you broke something on the inside if there is no tension in the handle so you'll will need to open up the tailgate anyways so might as well start with that.

will do and you can do that with the tail gate closed?

 

[rjaudi]

I have removed the inner trim with the hatch closed before. Just put the window down and it will be easy.

 

[CO_FlyFisher]

Yep, it isn't too hard to get it off from the inside. You can still get your fingers around the edge of the trim. Start near the 10mm bolt for the strap and it should be pretty easy. Put the window down first!

 

[Chris @ SEOR]

Push hard on the oval Toyota logo above the tag surround while pulling the handle.

 

[t4r4life]

gonna tackle it this weekend hopefully is just the bolts came undone, figers crossed and i appericate any additional info. thx to all

 

[t4r4life]

so when to toyota today to get the diagram and took the hatch apart, found out that the mechanism thats triggered by the handle lost a nut and fell off, so i went to toyota to get the nut surprisingly a big dealer does not have a 10mm nut in stock, so i went to napa auto and the guy didnt even charge me, big thanks to everyone who helped me on here couldn't do it without you guys.