Caravan tailgate question

[lansdowne]

I have a 2001 Caravan....lately it has developed a problem with the
tailgate latch. When you flick the lock/unlock switch on the front
door panel the doors (includingn the tailgate) unlocvk....BUT
apparently the first catch on the tailgate releases, making it
partially open. Lo and behold...you get the tailgate "open" icon on
the dash. You have to shut it quite firmly so that its locked again.
Please don't anyone say its the power locking system....who has the
kind of money to fix THAT?
But has anyone had a similar experience, and if so, what might be the
cure???
Many thanks
Dodger

[Cntrysthbst]

I having alittle trouble understanding what you are saying. I don't believe you have a power lock issue. The latch is adjustable, and if you remove the tailgate panel you have a good picture of the locking mechanism inside. The panel is pretty simple to take off.

[lansdowne]

Hi again... what I am trying to explain is this....I have a tailgate that unlocks sometimes (when i unlock the doors from inside by using the button on the driver's side door panel) to the extent that the tailgate door doesn't just unlock but starts to open........to the extent of the icon showing up in the dash, showing that the tailgate is open. I have been told there are two latches and the first one is opening. I have been asked if it is a power operated tailgate but I don't think that it is. By that I mean it unlocks as I have described but to actually open it you have to depress the latch (near the licence plate) and lift the tailgate up. I assume that means it is a manual tailgate, as opposed to a power one....unless a power tailagate means the locking system.
Needless to say I am not particularly knowledgable about vehicles.
Dodger