Manually unlock rear lift gate?

[kattwrad]

My 95 has had the usual door lock malfunctions, and now will not respond at all.
Is there a way to manually unlock the rear lift gate?

If I take the rear panel off the inside, is there a way to manually release the door latch by reaching in the window?

[adamzan]

Yes, you can pull off the trim in the back and there are some linkage rods that control the lock. Find the one by the lock actuator and see if it will pop open. Does your key not work in the rear lock? It does more than just open the glass.

[kattwrad]

I love this forum! I had initially found that turning the lock to the right opened the glass, but did not think to turn it to the left. (Boy, do I feel dumb.) That was the ticket.

Thanks very much, adamzan! :-)

[Precise1]

If the little sticker isn't there to clue you in, you'd probably only find out by mistake.

These are the best fixes.

 

B

[Kingman]

For locking it, there's a small black tab sticking out right next to the tailgate latch. Flip that before you close it and it's locked.

[Precise1]

You can do that with the key as well, you just turn it clockwise about 1/8 of a turn, not all the way. You can feel/hear it...

 

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[Terranovation]

Mine has the rear glass release switch on the dash but I hardly ever use it since I heard they have a problem with malfunctioning. Luckily mine still works!

[Slartibartfast]

I use mine all the time and it still works fine. I avoid using the key to open it because since I put new lift struts on it, the glass likes to pop up and pin my wrist against the spare tire!

[kattwrad]

Boy oh boy, you guys are the best!
I fiddled around with it for way too long, and never figured out how to manually lock it. Logged on to the forum tonight to find Kingman's and Precise1's posts about the little tab and turning the key clockwise a bit!
Thanks loads!