Liftgate latch does not open - FIX

[Maui_Dave]

Well I scanned around this site and it seems nobody came up with this fix. I just wanted to post it for the next poor soul that has to go through this....

When I bought the 98 GC limited the liftgate didn't open. Simple fix I figured!

Welllll, maybe not. After the three hour job and a few new cracks in the liftgate panel, I got the gate open. I removed the bolts to the striker under neath the body right above the bumper. Pretty easy to get to. It made getting all but two of the screws accessible. Two screws on the upper sides were practically impossible to get even with the gate slightly opened.

Turns out that the mechanism that releases the striker was so corroded that it wouldn't release. About 30 minutes of TLC and Liquid Wrench fixed the problem. I lubed it up with marine grease and I attached a wire to the latch arm and fed it through the interior panel so that if it ever happens again I have a backup emergency system in place.

Now, to make it easier for everybody else. I figured out (unfortunately after the fact ) that I could have removed the interior body panel, on the interior roof next to the rear courtesy light, to access the bolts for the two hinges for the liftgate. Since I already removed the striker bolts, the liftgate would have come out as one unit. Remember two things: 1. disconnect the liftgate pistons (easy - just pop out the clips on the bottom) and very important #2 - have someone else on the outside so that when the hinge bolts are removed the liftgate doesn't come crashing down. As far as the striker is concerned, I was worried that I would have to readjust the striker after I removed it but the dirt around the washers made that problem go away. I just matched it up and it worked fine. You may want to mark the bolts for the hinges. Didn't do it so I don't know, might not hurt.

Remember, I didn't try this but after the fact I realized that this would be a hell of a lot easier and less damage to the liftgate panel. This way you can access all the screws with the liftgate off. Most of all I figure this would reduce the time and especially the frustration level.

If someone tries this fix, send me an email to see if it was easier.
I just don't want anybody else to go through what myself and others have.

Good Luck - Dave