'05 tailgate won't lock-please advise!

[pb1998]

Hi again! I just bought a 2005 Suburban and have now found out that the tailgate will not lock-by the FOB or by the power locks. There is no key hole to speak of to manually do this either. The hatch remains unlocked too and I have no idea how to remedy this. Makes me uneasy to go and do any shopping for fear of things being stolen.

What should we check first? Fuses? Possiblya sensor or an actuator?

We have never owned a Chevy before so this is a whole new adventure for us.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

[Cusser]

Originally Posted by pb1998

I just bought a 2005 Suburban and have now found out that the tailgate will not lock-by the FOB or by the power locks. There is no key hole to speak of to manually do this either. The hatch remains unlocked too and I have no idea how to remedy this. Makes me uneasy to go and do any shopping for fear of things being stolen!

Yeah, the cheap SOBs don't provide a lock cylinder for the hatch, or for the passenger door. We just got our 2005 in August, one key fob (once I figured out what FOB was) and Mrs. Cuss has that, and I keep going to the rear or passenger door with key in hand and no place to stick it. I hate not having a place to stick it.

OK, if the door locks work, then the fuse is OK, it's one circuit. And if the door lock switch works, then the switch is likely OK. The next step is to open the rear hatch, and take off the inner panel and locate the little solenoid (electromagnet) that should function when it gets voltage. Use a test light or DC voltmeter to test whether that solenoid latch gets 12 volts when someone is actuating the lock and unlock switch. If you do get voltage there, and can't hear or see something clicking when someone pushes the lock and unlock button (I can't test that right now, vehicle is not here), then likely that solenoid is bad and must be replaced. My guess is that a handy person could readily replace that. Hint to a GM newbie: if you ever do need a dealer-part, make sure to take your vehicle VIN number with you, oftentimes with GM the model and year is not enough (thanks, GM !!!).