2001 Sienna Rear Hatch won't open

Hi,

I replaced the rear hatch handle assembly yesterday and tested things and it worked great. Went to open it this morning and it wouldn't open. I played with the locks thinking that may be the problem but that didn't work. I removed the inner panel to see if something went wrong with my assembly, but everthing appeared fine (cable was engaging to latch assembly. I tried to open the hatch manually be lifting the mechanism and it wouldn't open. Seems like something to do with the lock. Can anyone help explain what's going on here? Thanks, Jerry

Is the handle staying kind of slightly pulled?
I have had the same problem......the pivot point for the part that the cable connects to keeps rusting.
I put some grease on it.....but think that I will put some of the brake lube stuff on there as it seems to stay put better.

Also, you could spray some lithium grease (they sell it in a spray can at the auto part stores) into the actual latch assemby at the bottom.

A picture of mine.....rusty....as seems typical......the foam seal was shot....letting moisture in.
New back door handle unit includes this foam.

http://inlinethumb33.webshots.com/25184/2641869000011220610S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2641869000011220610cdUBfC)

I ordered exactly what is shown in the picture.....the trim part (in the color for my van), handle, even included the license place bulbs from an online toyota parts department.
It's part number is 81270-0810-xx with the xx being a letter and number that is different for each color of the van.
The diagram and description did not include the handle part....but it was included on the part that came when I ordered the part number.
List price for my Silver colored one....81270-0810-B1 was $156.79 (online price was $116.79)
All the other colors shown have a list price of $126.22 (online price of $94.02 at toyotapartszone)
Enter your VIN at the beginning of the parts lookup on most any of the online Toyota parts departments and you will get a list of ONLY the correct color for your vehicle.
This part was under "electrical", rear license plate lamp


You can order the handle with the swivel part with spring also.....the "replaced by" part number is for the improved metal version.
The latest part number for the handle assembly only is 69090-0C080, "Handle assembly, back door, outside"
List price is $73.08 (online price of $57.36)
This part was under "body", back door lock & hinge

I installed mine yesterday.....and as I mentioned, I slopped it with a lot of the disk brake caliper lube.

You can get an all metal hatch handle for $23.99 on ebay. I got one - perfect fit & works great.