Found a waaaaayyyy easier way. On a 2014 Town and country, just remove a rectangle plastic cover located just behind the lock inside. After removed there's a lever on the left side that doesn't do much BUT at the end of that lever there's a small lever that when you move it, it allows the lock to open fully. Hope it helps and thank you for the video.
@tanyshajarrett2574 Try to turn that small plastic “wheel” back to the original place. You may have turned it and never rotated it BACK to its normal position.
Thank you!!! My tailgate latch jammed, just as you described. I dreaded having to take it in to our local dealership and just happened to find this video. After moments of fumbling, I located the release and, using the 2 screwdrivers, was able to get it to release. BTW....I am a grandma with no experience!!!
I used the above method and it worked. The real trick is after the first step you need a very narrow flat blade screwdriver to get at the latch release to pull the latch down all the way. Thanks Matt
I have been having that exact problem of for months on my Nana's 08 Buick enclave...she Took it to shop after shop trying to find a reasonable fix. They either wanted a arm and a leg for all the replacement parts and labor or told her "take it to the dealership" ect...so my 76 old Nana does and gets a estimated cost in the couple Grand range... IDK about yourselves but retirement is bringing in the dough... I'm sorry this is so long but I need to let you know that after watching your video and 5minutes it works just fine. So....THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE HELP!!! Keeping doing what your doing!
Yes thank you! I looked everywhere to try to fix the gate on my 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee. I knew it had to be a sensor problem because it had power to it. This worked! Thank you so much
My 2013 Grand Caravan rear liftgate refused to electrically close. It was dark out and very cold. I just lubricated the latch and it started working. I did have to slam the liftgate a couple times. I’ve saved this video and now I’m going to pay attention to when I open the rear liftgate.
Thank you so much for posting this. The last maneuver, I had better luck with a thin flatblade pushing up on the detente on the passenger side of the lock. ¡¡ Muchas Gracias !!
Very helpfull video. Had the same issue. If you depress the catch spring indicated in the first step and hold the liftgate handle while doing this the lock opens up. This avoids the complicated second step show in the video.
Thank you so much for posting this video on how to manually release the lift gate latch. It was clear, concise, and a lifesaver. Much appreciated from MN.
I don't quite understand what you did to get that latch to open. I closing the latch as far as it can go, but I don't fully understand what I need to do with the 2nd flathead to get it to unlatch. Please help. I'm in the middle of trying to figure it out and ur video is the only one with this issue.
Thanks! This worked, it was a bit different in appearance I have a 2009 there was a bumper (piece of rubber) that was in view it fell out and was basically a casualty of the repair, but it worked! The little spring was more like a button to depress on upper right side above the black insulated moving catch mechanics of this latch. THANKS so much !!
I have the same problem with a 2008. The button to depress is on the upper right just as you describe here. When I depress it all the way, I still am not able to move the latch at all. It seems I'm missing something. Anyone have any ideas?
I fixed a customers 2019 Dodge Durango using this video as a guide for myself. I personally found success pulling the whole latch out of the tailgate via taking the paneling from the inside off and removing those three hex screws you can see clearly. There should be a manual lever on the back that sticks out and on top of it the spring loaded latch that this video is showcasing, I was able to pull it back from behind. You may or may not have a plastic piece that blocks access mildly but if you take your time and remove it with some smarts it comes out just fine.
Would this latch problem cause the door upon opening with button on key to swing back shut with a force than not latch? One day my 2012 dodge grand caravan door wouldn't open with button so i had to open it with the handle. Then it wouldn't stay open and slowly would close. Then when it did finally open with the button on the key it went up then forcefully came down not even me trying to hold the door open was working i had to let it try and shut. But then it wouldn't latch so i had to push the latch open then press the button to open the door and then press it again fast to shut it so it'd finally lock. ha hopefully this makes sense. But before i search for screw drivers and fiddle with this while watching a toddler, wondering if the latch is my problem and not a computer issue?
*IMPORTANT* While trying to push down the latch bar with the screwdriver, DEPRESS THE LATCH USED TO OPEN THE TAILGATE AT THE SAME TIME! This will allow the latch to rotate easily under its own natural mechanism without having to use force.
Pop off the plastic panel on the inside of the door, near the latch. Shine a light down in there and you’ll see a metal rod on the left side of the opening, below the level of the opening. Push down on that rod/lever to open the door
I had to do this on my dodge nitro just now. the latch would not close, so with a flat screw driver and a butter knife, i followed this video and managed to get the tailgate to close. I might have to get the latch actuator switched out soon, but for now? it stays shut..
buen video. comparto mi experiencia. regrese el pestillo facil y suave . solo tirando la manija del maletero (cajuela) y al mismo tiempo girando el pestillo. Le puse un dia antes wd40 por que tenia mucha suciedad acumulada.
Your fix work perfectly. I had to disconnect the battery negative, and try your procedure and it work. The problem I'm having now, once closed it will try to open and wont. Any suggestions. It did this before. I had to replace the battery and it stated working again. Still had the problem of it not wanting to open again. It tries and locks back down again.
@@ivanleslie9583 No Sir, havn't had the time. I pruchase a canoe with trailer and need to get it fix. Will try to unhook battery and try again. I'll let you know.
@@bruceadams7119 thanks! I'm having the same problem I believe. Once closed I can't open it. But if I push in on the trunk a bit and squeeze the handle and wait for the mechanism to unlatch it does open.
im in trouble.motor will work fine but it does not when u lower the door below certain point.2014 durango rt. And i think it might be a sensor that sees the doors angle or what?
My back liftgate door just started to unlock by itself then all my lights go on inside I guess the liftgate door has opened enough for interior lights to stay on. I'm hoping it isnt the actuator or whatever. 2005 caravan unless there's a fix for it
Can anybody tell me why my liftgate Keeps Clicking Periodically. When i'm driving Or if it's just sitting NI am unlocking the doors. It started doing this when the doors were all frozen this past winter. Everything works but just the clicking keeps happening
I had a similar problem with my 2012 caravan. The lift gate would not open. If you tried to open, it would open one inch and then close automatically. Turned out to be Brocken glass ( from when rear glass was broken by vandals) caught in the mechanism. I removed the assembly, tapped it lightly with a small hammer- and the glass came out- and gate works perfectly now.
You’re a SAINT for posting this comment. Seriously. I too wasn’t helped so much by this video but I decided to go through comments to see if someone else had further problems. Saw yours about broken glass and remembered I came across broken glass when cleaning and sure enough, I shook and banged like 6 pieces of glass out. Only one was the main culprit and took about 30 minutes to get out. But then it still didn’t work. 😂. Turns out the whole assembly, which is kind of L shaped, had gotten bent and wasn’t engaging that second lever. A pair of channel locks and some body weight got it back into place and BOOM. Works flawlessly now. So thank you SO MUCH for making that comment. I never would have considered broken glass jamming the mechanism. ❤❤❤
On my 2011 Town and country looks exactly like that bottom side mine has access pop out small panel interior of door . Using long screw driver can also release lock mechanism ... I inadvertantly closed a blanket in latch another utube guided me to pull up unlocking lever takes 30 * driver to remove complete latch assembly had to physically bend that lever back over round unlatching rider under release that lifts lever acting release pivot (those 3 30* bolts are quite tight used 1/4 drive ratched to remove lock asm)
I agree. Far easier to just remove the latch and physically move both arms with your fingers. I was done in less than 5 minutes. Working as it should now.
So mine i had back glass broken by my bone head dealer during oil change. 2 weeks later i get it back with lift gate bad and dead battery. (Gate never closed and left interior light on) They “FIXED IT” and got it back for i not to close. Found this out Saturday after hours and of course they are closed Sunday. So i watched this vid and he mentioned lining up correctly and….Mine was more the alignment and I guess sensitive sensor to make assembly click Into place. I noticed that when I pushed the whole gate over manually by muscle lol to the left and it made the assembly latch happy to close. Hope i dont have to keep doing. I feel like of I bring it back to dealer they will do more damage!
Well my rear latch on my 2012 Dodge Durango tries to close 3 times and gives up. On the way home it poped up 2 times. This made for some interesting driving as the cars behind me didn't know how to handle the situation. Luckily I pulled over with the flashers on, pushed the open/close button on the overhead console and have it cycle another 3 times. When the latch broke or whatever it did the check engine light came on. Things like that seem to come in two's or three's. Yea, the low left rear tire light also started flashing telling me that it decided to show low :-(. The reason the check engine light came on was the computer(s) in all it's wisdom said the thermostat was not opening up like it should have. Lucky I had Mo-Par Max Care warranty. The dealer put in a new hatchback latch (450.00), new thermostat Cost ??. I don't know how much the labor for all this would have been without the Mo-Par warranty. I paid them $ 100.00 and was back on the road in a day or so. The warranty does cover parts, labor and rental car. These vehicles these days are nothing but computers on wheels. The Mo-Par Max Care warranty comes in 3 flavors: 1. No Deductible (higher initial cost) 2. $ 100.00 deductible (what I have) 3. $ 200.00 deductable If you are going to keep your vehicle over 5 years it's worth the cost.
My 2018 Durango when I’m opening the tailgate at half way it’s stops like gets stuck and then continues to open but after that it won’t close.. anybody has that problem? Sometimes it closes out of 10 one time will work. Please help.
Ummm can't you just pull the handle on the back to pop it open? That's what I do. I have a strap that is meant for that catch and it just pops when you pull the handle.
+quietcorona33 gotta love a video where he sounds like he knows what he is doing but its really just a fail video. in my case pull the handle which actuates then simultaniously pull down on the latch and it freed up.
Pull the plastic clip out from the door latch and move the white switch one turn. Then close door as far as it can again and hold the latch open with one hand and pry it down with the other
Found a waaaaayyyy easier way. On a 2014 Town and country, just remove a rectangle plastic cover located just behind the lock inside. After removed there's a lever on the left side that doesn't do much BUT at the end of that lever there's a small lever that when you move it, it allows the lock to open fully. Hope it helps and thank you for the video.
How did you figure it out I finally got mine to open but now if it latches it won’t open again
@tanyshajarrett2574
Try to turn that small plastic “wheel” back to the original place. You may have turned it and never rotated it BACK to its normal position.
3 kids. Middle of move from AZ to NY broken tailgate at hotel in OH and this video saved me. Thanks for posting this!
Thank you!!!
My tailgate latch jammed, just as you described. I dreaded having to take it in to our local dealership and just happened to find this video. After moments of fumbling, I located the release and, using the 2 screwdrivers, was able to get it to release.
BTW....I am a grandma with no experience!!!
I used the above method and it worked. The real trick is after the first step you need a very narrow flat blade screwdriver to get at the latch release to pull the latch down all the way. Thanks Matt
I have been having that exact problem of for months on my Nana's 08 Buick enclave...she Took it to shop after shop trying to find a reasonable fix. They either wanted a arm and a leg for all the replacement parts and labor or told her "take it to the dealership" ect...so my 76 old Nana does and gets a estimated cost in the couple Grand range... IDK about yourselves but retirement is bringing in the dough... I'm sorry this is so long but I need to let you know that after watching your video and 5minutes it works just fine. So....THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE HELP!!! Keeping doing what your doing!
Yes thank you! I looked everywhere to try to fix the gate on my 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee. I knew it had to be a sensor problem because it had power to it. This worked! Thank you so much
It worked!!!!! I was able to fix it on my own and not spend any money I do not have! THANK YOU!!!
My 2013 Grand Caravan rear liftgate refused to electrically close. It was dark out and very cold. I just lubricated the latch and it started working. I did have to slam the liftgate a couple times. I’ve saved this video and now I’m going to pay attention to when I open the rear liftgate.
Thank you so much for posting this.
The last maneuver, I had better luck with a thin flatblade pushing up on the detente on the passenger side of the lock.
¡¡ Muchas Gracias !!
Very helpfull video. Had the same issue. If you depress the catch spring indicated in the first step and hold the liftgate handle while doing this the lock opens up. This avoids the complicated second step show in the video.
That worked for us! Thank you!
VERY helpful!! Thank you for taking the time to post this. I was about ready to give up on that "second step" and then I read this. SUPER DUPER!🥰🥰🥰
Your comment needs to be pinned or something. I’m thankful for the video, though saved a lot of sweat and time finding your workaround. Thanks!
Thank you Matt, just saved me a trip to a mechanic on a 2014 town and country. Bit of fiddling but job done 👍
Thank you so much for posting this video on how to manually release the lift gate latch. It was clear, concise, and a lifesaver. Much appreciated from MN.
I don't quite understand what you did to get that latch to open. I closing the latch as far as it can go, but I don't fully understand what I need to do with the 2nd flathead to get it to unlatch. Please help. I'm in the middle of trying to figure it out and ur video is the only one with this issue.
Fiddled with this for a couple hours. Watched your video and got it fixed in 5 minutes...
Thank you! I had the same problem in my town and country here in italy :)
This helped me with my locked tailgate on my 2020 Pacifica. Thank you so much!!
Thank you so much for uploading this video =) The lock is on the right side looking up, so anything small can prop it up and over the latch
Thank you very much sir a little persistent in your video helped me fix it just before a big rain storm
Thank you so so much !! after watching your video it took me 5 minutes to fix.
Fantastic video, sorted my tailgate, saved an expensive trip to the dealer
Thanks! This worked, it was a bit different in appearance I have a 2009 there was a bumper (piece of rubber) that was in view it fell out and was basically a casualty of the repair, but it worked! The little spring was more like a button to depress on upper right side above the black insulated moving catch mechanics of this latch. THANKS so much !!
I have the same problem with a 2008. The button to depress is on the upper right just as you describe here. When I depress it all the way, I still am not able to move the latch at all. It seems I'm missing something. Anyone have any ideas?
DUDE!! Thank you so much! I'll never do again that thing that we won't mention...
Dude you saved my ass! Thank you and thank you TH-cam! Was able to do it with a single screw driver.
Thank you so so so so much !!! Your video just allowed me solve the same problem on my grand cherokee overland 🤝🤝🤝
Greetings from Morocco
This thankfully worked on my 2014 T/C! Thanks!
Matt. I love you. Thanks so much.
Man your a lifesaver! I used a flat screwdriver and a small electronics screw driver and it took no time at all.
Worked on my 2014 Grand Cherokee you are a life saver
You saved me $200+
Thank you
It worked on my Caravan 2013. Thank you very much
Worked for me!! Thanks man. I was ready to replace the whole damn assembly lol
I fixed a customers 2019 Dodge Durango using this video as a guide for myself. I personally found success pulling the whole latch out of the tailgate via taking the paneling from the inside off and removing those three hex screws you can see clearly. There should be a manual lever on the back that sticks out and on top of it the spring loaded latch that this video is showcasing, I was able to pull it back from behind. You may or may not have a plastic piece that blocks access mildly but if you take your time and remove it with some smarts it comes out just fine.
Thank you man you're a life saver
Would this latch problem cause the door upon opening with button on key to swing back shut with a force than not latch? One day my 2012 dodge grand caravan door wouldn't open with button so i had to open it with the handle. Then it wouldn't stay open and slowly would close. Then when it did finally open with the button on the key it went up then forcefully came down not even me trying to hold the door open was working i had to let it try and shut. But then it wouldn't latch so i had to push the latch open then press the button to open the door and then press it again fast to shut it so it'd finally lock. ha hopefully this makes sense. But before i search for screw drivers and fiddle with this while watching a toddler, wondering if the latch is my problem and not a computer issue?
*IMPORTANT*
While trying to push down the latch bar with the screwdriver, DEPRESS THE LATCH USED TO OPEN THE TAILGATE AT THE SAME TIME! This will allow the latch to rotate easily under its own natural mechanism without having to use force.
Just had this problem, on a Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2007, same latch setup, worked great, thx
Worked like a charm. Thanks!
It was a struggle for me, but thanks! 😇 🙏
my 2013 power liftgate is stuck in closed locked position. any advice on opening it?
me too
Pop off the plastic panel on the inside of the door, near the latch. Shine a light down in there and you’ll see a metal rod on the left side of the opening, below the level of the opening. Push down on that rod/lever to open the door
I had to do this on my dodge nitro just now. the latch would not close, so with a flat screw driver and a butter knife, i followed this video and managed to get the tailgate to close. I might have to get the latch actuator switched out soon, but for now? it stays shut..
Hallelujah You just save me. And it was easy
buen video. comparto mi experiencia. regrese el pestillo facil y suave . solo tirando la manija del maletero (cajuela) y al mismo tiempo girando el pestillo. Le puse un dia antes wd40 por que tenia mucha suciedad acumulada.
Thank you!! i thought it was something else but that was it!!
Thank you!! It worked!
Your fix work perfectly. I had to disconnect the battery negative, and try your procedure and it work. The problem I'm having now, once closed it will try to open and wont. Any suggestions. It did this before. I had to replace the battery and it stated working again. Still had the problem of it not wanting to open again. It tries and locks back down again.
Did you ever figure out what the problem was?
@@ivanleslie9583 No Sir, havn't had the time. I pruchase a canoe with trailer and need to get it fix. Will try to unhook battery and try again. I'll let you know.
@@bruceadams7119 thanks! I'm having the same problem I believe. Once closed I can't open it. But if I push in on the trunk a bit and squeeze the handle and wait for the mechanism to unlatch it does open.
What worked for me is removing/reinstalling the liftgate fuse .. it took for me in one minute
Thank you for this!!!
Hello. My front dash says my trunk is open. It’s a 2012 Dodge Journey and it’s killing my battery. What should I do . Would this video help.
Thank you!
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Took a few tries bu it worked fine. THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you so much! Fixed it.
If this goes crooked to the left or right can it damage the spoiler?
Thank you sir.......got a fleet of 13
im in trouble.motor will work fine but it does not when u lower the door below certain point.2014 durango rt. And i think it might be a sensor that sees the doors angle or what?
My back liftgate door just started to unlock by itself then all my lights go on inside I guess the liftgate door has opened enough for interior lights to stay on. I'm hoping it isnt the actuator or whatever. 2005 caravan unless there's a fix for it
THANK YOUUU life saver!!!!!
Thanks for sharing. It worked on RAV4 2017
I had this same problem, but when I closed the manual handle to open and close the trunk. It opened it right up!
encountered same thing clicking on liftgate button on remote just unlocked the lock and i was able to close the trunk.
Can anybody tell me why my liftgate Keeps Clicking Periodically. When i'm driving Or if it's just sitting NI am unlocking the doors. It started doing this when the doors were all frozen this past winter.
Everything works but just the clicking keeps happening
Thank you
I had a similar problem with my 2012 caravan. The lift gate would not open. If you tried to open, it would open one inch and then close automatically. Turned out to be Brocken glass ( from when rear glass was broken by vandals) caught in the mechanism. I removed the assembly, tapped it lightly with a small hammer- and the glass came out- and gate works perfectly now.
You’re a SAINT for posting this comment. Seriously.
I too wasn’t helped so much by this video but I decided to go through comments to see if someone else had further problems. Saw yours about broken glass and remembered I came across broken glass when cleaning and sure enough, I shook and banged like 6 pieces of glass out. Only one was the main culprit and took about 30 minutes to get out. But then it still didn’t work. 😂. Turns out the whole assembly, which is kind of L shaped, had gotten bent and wasn’t engaging that second lever. A pair of channel locks and some body weight got it back into place and BOOM. Works flawlessly now. So thank you SO MUCH for making that comment. I never would have considered broken glass jamming the mechanism. ❤❤❤
I tried this on my 08 after Changing hydraulic arms. And I can't find any spring loaded latch using a long screw driver. 🙃
On my 2011 Town and country looks exactly like that bottom side mine has access pop out small panel interior of door . Using long screw driver can also release lock mechanism ...
I inadvertantly closed a blanket in latch another utube guided me to pull up unlocking lever takes 30 * driver to remove complete latch assembly had to physically bend that lever back over round unlatching rider under release that lifts lever acting release pivot (those 3 30* bolts are quite tight used 1/4 drive ratched to remove lock asm)
I agree. Far easier to just remove the latch and physically move both arms with your fingers. I was done in less than 5 minutes. Working as it should now.
So mine i had back glass broken by my bone head dealer during oil change. 2 weeks later i get it back with lift gate bad and dead battery. (Gate never closed and left interior light on)
They “FIXED IT” and got it back for i not to close. Found this out Saturday after hours and of course they are closed Sunday.
So i watched this vid and he mentioned lining up correctly and….Mine was more the alignment and I guess sensitive sensor to make assembly click Into place.
I noticed that when I pushed the whole gate over manually by muscle lol to the left and it made the assembly latch happy
to close. Hope i dont have to keep doing.
I feel like of I bring it back to dealer they will do more damage!
I have a 2000 dodge grand caravan. And my lift gate is manually. And it's won't lock and close.
Thanks!!!
quietcorona33 and johnhowington, I tried your way and it didn't work. His way did. Can the snark, jerks.
Well my rear latch on my 2012 Dodge Durango tries to close 3 times and gives up.
On the way home it poped up 2 times. This made for some interesting driving as the cars behind me didn't know how to handle the situation. Luckily I pulled over with the flashers on, pushed the open/close button on the overhead console and have it cycle another 3 times.
When the latch broke or whatever it did the check engine light came on. Things like that seem to come in two's or three's. Yea, the low left rear tire light also started flashing telling me that it decided to show low :-(.
The reason the check engine light came on was the computer(s) in all it's wisdom said the thermostat was not opening up like it should have.
Lucky I had Mo-Par Max Care warranty.
The dealer put in a new hatchback latch (450.00), new thermostat Cost ??. I don't know how much the labor for all this would have been without the Mo-Par warranty. I paid them $ 100.00 and was back on the road in a day or so. The warranty does cover parts, labor and rental car.
These vehicles these days are nothing but computers on wheels.
The Mo-Par Max Care warranty comes in 3 flavors:
1. No Deductible (higher initial cost)
2. $ 100.00 deductible (what I have)
3. $ 200.00 deductable
If you are going to keep your vehicle over 5 years it's worth the cost.
put the key in lift gate turn key keep it turned .................. you should be able to reposition the latch...........
My 2018 Durango when I’m opening the tailgate at half way it’s stops like gets stuck and then continues to open but after that it won’t close.. anybody has that problem? Sometimes it closes out of 10 one time will work. Please help.
Did you find the fix? ...I have a 16 Durango with a liftgate problem...
I got an 18 durango too, tried to do the same but no luck. I guess I’ll be ordering the part instead.
All you have to do to free up the latch is squeeze the handle to free it up.
Okay, but I can't even open the hatch because the latch it's not opening
I just pulled the handle and got the latch back by pushing down with a screwdriver
Ummm can't you just pull the handle on the back to pop it open? That's what I do. I have a strap that is meant for that catch and it just pops when you pull the handle.
+quietcorona33 gotta love a video where he sounds like he knows what he is doing but its really just a fail video. in my case pull the handle which actuates then simultaniously pull down on the latch and it freed up.
Yes, just lift the handle and it will work!! I broke off a piece of plastic trying to pry it with a screwdriver.
Manual handle will release this.
WHY NOT JUST PULL THE OUT SIDE HANDLE AND FLIP THE LATCH DOWN?
Que dijo???
Pull the plastic clip out from the door latch and move the white switch one turn.
Then close door as far as it can again and hold the latch open with one hand and pry it down with the other
This helped me with my 2018 jeep Cherokee I watch tons a videos on the side of the rode this was the only one that worked 🫶🏾🤲🏾🥹
Thank you!
Thank you!!!