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Tailgate issues

Zapper64

Full Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2021
Messages
12
With me having a 07 avalanche of course it has remote lock on the tailgate. Today my tailgate will not open. Help. Not sure where to start.
 
Do you hear anything in the tailgate when you hit the remote? Is it trying to unlock but seems jammed? Or are you getting nothing when you hit the remote? Did this happen all at once or has it been sticking or acting up before the main issue?
Answering those questions will help decide if you have a bad remote or electrical issue or possibly a mechanical issue with the tailgate linkage.
If mechanical you may have to open midgate and crawl in bed to open access panel on inside of tailgate and fix linkage.
 
All at once. Remote not worked for awhile but door switch always works. A friend said he could hear actuator working when I hit the switch. I see the red side of the linkage looks hooked up. It like the passenger side isn’t releasing. Idk
 
Jiggle (or hit with your palm) the passenger side of tailgate while a friend presses the unlock button on the door switch? Might work once, but that's enough to make it easier to work on.
 
Update……. Tailgate open. Have to raise the handle and push on the passenger side of the tailgate and it will open. Not sure why this is happening. Any suggestions would help. Thanks.
 
Update……. Tailgate open. Have to raise the handle and push on the passenger side of the tailgate and it will open. Not sure why this is happening. Any suggestions would help. Thanks.
I would first try lubricating everything related, latch and pin. I would also make sure that the cable is not getting "in the way" of things or something else in the hinge area or another area on the right side causing pressure where it shouldn't. If none of that is the problem then I would
try adjusting the pin that the latch latches too, on the passenger side. On the 2002-2006 they have movement room. Not sure about newer models. Loosen and probably move outward a hair or two.
 
My 2013 is having issues with the tailgate. It won't unlock with key fob or with the button on door handle. It doesn't make any noise or anything. I tried spraying some penetrating oil in behind the handle, but that did nothing. I'm guessing probably an electrical issue, but not sure where to start. I saw somewhere online that there are some relays that can affect the tailgate lock, but sounded like it also would affect the back doors and my back door locks are working fine. Any help would be appreciated because this really sucks!
 
I'm dealing with the same issue on a 2012. I can't even get the the last cover piece off because the latches hit the tailgate. Looks like you have to remove the spoiler to get to the mechanism.
 
My 04 had tailgate issues.
Some folks can access everything they need to just pulling the "latch cover" I could NOT manipulate all the components to get everything to line up.. so a total tailgate disassembly was in order (details and many more pictures in "what did you do to your avalanche today" Nov 7th and Nov 18th 2021) The old brittle plastic connectors broke / came loose.. I bought new connectors and to (hopefully) PREVENT the problem re-occuring I tie-wrapped the new (white) connectors and installed a stop nut on the end of the threaded rod. Hopefully this picture helps:

1656214267524.png
 

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I recently bought an 07 AV, the tailgate has electric locking along with the doors. There is no key access on the outside and no handle or latch on the inside. I was also looking at, if mine stopped working how to get it open. I've heard about going thru the midgate and removing the inside panel to manually opening it, but I don't see anyway to get the inside panel off when it's closed. I know you have to take the torx screws out but I don't think you can get the panel off with the tail gate closed. thankfully mine works fine for now. Does anyone know a solution for this?
 
I recently bought an 07 AV, the tailgate has electric locking along with the doors. There is no key access on the outside and no handle or latch on the inside. I was also looking at, if mine stopped working how to get it open. I've heard about going thru the midgate and removing the inside panel to manually opening it, but I don't see anyway to get the inside panel off when it's closed. I know you have to take the torx screws out but I don't think you can get the panel off with the tail gate closed. thankfully mine works fine for now. Does anyone know a solution for this?
My 04 (different style) has Torx screws on the inside, remove those and the outside handle can come off, then I can manually operate the mechanism.. I would assume the '07 would be similar, they make it hard, but usually NOT impossible.
 
It's very hard to open need to access through cab, open seats remove window & mid wall. Crawl through remove inner bed panel & try get latch bar turned. It's possible to fish a piece of meatal or wire in mechanism but bore camera would be useful.
I repaired my doorman handle the lock plastic arm broke to lock servo.
I have it apart still going to put panels back in morning.
Hopefully my glue/ring screw fix holds a while.
 

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I recently bought an 07 AV, the tailgate has electric locking along with the doors. There is no key access on the outside and no handle or latch on the inside. I was also looking at, if mine stopped working how to get it open. I've heard about going thru the midgate and removing the inside panel to manually opening it, but I don't see anyway to get the inside panel off when it's closed. I know you have to take the torx screws out but I don't think you can get the panel off with the tail gate closed. thankfully mine works fine for now. Does anyone know a solution for this?
If u can get meatal in the trough where lock slides pin to catch arm tilt with handle it should open. How I got my 07 to open. Can't see past the plastic cover well enough, a borehole camera I needed to release gate.
From inside almost 0 visibility or access either, I drilled holes to access plastic pin/hooks release plastic cover easier buying new clips every time they break gets expensive.
 
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