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Tailgate Lock

kcZ96

Full Member
Joined
Nov 11, 2002
Messages
26
I seem to be having difficulty locking my tailgate. ?I am planning on taking it into the dealer later this week. ?I have owned my AV for almost 3 weeks now, usually I can't get the tailgate to lock. ?Now today I try it before I call the dealer, it seems to work fine. ?I am unsure if I was doing something wrong before, or if there is a problem. ?I did call the dealer though, I also have the drivers mirror vibration problem. ?He said that the tailgate lock is like a glovebox lock and that you push in turn, then turn back to lock it. ?Since I am not near my AV right now, I am confused. ?This doesn't sound like the way I have been doing it.

Any words of wisdom here?

Edit note: Topic changed to be descriptive
 
That doesn't sound like my 02 Av. All I do is put the key in and turn a quater turn. If the keyhole is verticle it's unlocked and horizontal is locked.
Never had a problem with mine so good luck.
 
I have the same problem KC, it is definetly 'not' like a glovebox... the push-in and turn set-up is only on the 2 rear side compartments and not the tailgate.

I have been meaning to take it to the dealers but have found a quick way in getting the same job done. If locking you have to lift the lever 1/2 way and force the locking mechanism on the inside clockwise to lock... and 'presto'... I know what your saying, just get it fixed... and I will, after the SuperBowl.

Keep me updated also, KC, on what pertinent info your dealer may have...

sponger :B:
 
I think what you'll find out is that your tailgate isn't completely closed. Sometimes I have to slam mine pretty good once or twice to get it to lock good. And no, you sholdn't have to push and turn.
I think that I have seen an issue that the rear bed cover closest to the tailgate might have a faulty seal (or it's too thick or something) if you have to really slam it to get it to lock.

Hope it helps.
 
Just a thought but I get this problem if I don't SLAM the tailgate...sometimes the seals are not "broken" in just yet and need an extra push...give it a try...embarassing when you accelerate from a stop and the tailgat drops open. ;D :B:
 
Sometimes I close my tailgate weakly and when I turn the key it will turn but won't let the key go. My suggestion is that you always close your tailgate with the same force(a strong one) and it should be fine.
 
silversport said:
embarassing when you accelerate from a stop and the tailgat drops open. ;D :B:

I've had this happen to me. Embarrasing is right! Now I slam it shut and test it by pulling hard on it once or twice.
 
This has happen twice to me the lift gate has fallen while driving. Man the noise makes you think you have been in a accident. nothing wrong just diddnt close all the way oooops :8:
 
Been there, done that. It really takes your breath away when it bangs, doesn't it? :eek: I make it a point to give it a pull after shutting it now.
 
The noise it makes will get your attn. perty quick. That use to happen almost every time I left my driveway when I first got my AV. It takes sometime for the seals around the gate to wear in. My gate hasn't dropped opened close to a year and half now.
Just close it hard and give it a tug. And in a few months it should be fine.
 
yea ur right it happened when i first got it i have had it a 1yr 1month and it havent happen again
 
I've been reading here long enough and heard this so many times that after I finally got to purchase my Av I have slammed it shut since day one. Hasn't happened yet, knock on wood.
 
This happend to me when I was test driving the AV :eek: Now everytime I close the tail gate I always pull on it.
 
Happened to me twice. Each time I looked in the mirror to see who I ran over!

kw
 
EarthQuake said:
I think what you'll find out is that your tailgate isn't completely closed. ?Sometimes I have to slam mine pretty good once or twice to get it to lock good. ?And no, you sholdn't have to push and turn.
I think that I have seen an issue that the rear bed cover closest to the tailgate might have a faulty seal (or it's too thick or something) if you have to really slam it to get it to lock.

Hope it helps.

This is probley what is going on. When I first got my Avalanche I had poblems getting it to lock also. One day we were at the local building supply store and after we left the lot and were driving down the road my tailgate dropped open! Well, I was not closing it hard enough! Now I really slam it and have no problem locking it now. I have made a SWING AWAY CARGO BOX and it has a bumper that rests against the inside of the tailgate so I make sure that I get it shut and locked right!

Butch
 
Make sure both of the panel latches are fully closed and locked before slamming your tailgate closed. I looked over at the drivers side latch a millisecond after the tailgate had closed to where I couldn't stop it. Yep, the latch was fully open and the glow-in-the=dark tip was sticking out in the path of the tailgate. Let me tell you, I by no means shut the thing mildly. With the tailgate passed the point of no return, all I could do was blink my eyes closed and listen to the pop as the plastic tip split in half and the tailgate bounced back into my hand.

Now, I check both sides before closing. Close it solidly. Lock it. Check the latch and give the top of the tailgate a couple tuggs. Sounds like a lot but really, It is all done in less than a couple seconds.
 
:eek: The salesman at the dealership did not close the tailgate, so guess what? During the test drive, the tailgate fell. I thought I had hit something. Thank goodness I have yet to do it in my AV.
 
I have the same problem with the tailgate not being closed. I've just gotten into the habit of pulling on the tail gate to be sure. I do it without thinking anymore.
 
Has anyone noticed that the tailgate closes much easier when the third panel is not installed ???
 
I cured this problem on my AV after the first time my tailgate fell open. Scared the stuff out of me.

Look at the latches on the tailgate. One actuates from the bottom up, the other from the top down. I noticed that my LH latch was not latching and the LH latch action was weak/sloppy.

My tailgate was not shutting/latching on the LH side. I repositioned the LH latch inward, so that it would be closer to the pin on the bed and lubricated the latch guts with WD-40.

Having the latch closer to the pin causes the throat on the latch to move farther around the pin (on the bed) allowing the locking pin (in the latch) to fully secure the latch.

My tailgate stays shut and is still aligned with the tail light/fender. Hope this helps.

Aloha,
Murman
 
I can tell you this, they changed the tailgate locking procedure on the 03 AV. ?My 02 Av you turned the key to the right and then back to the center and removed the key. My 03 AV you turn the key to the right and remove it and its locked. To unlock you put the key back in and turn it back straight up.
 
TLB said:
I can tell you this, they changed the tailgate locking procedure on the 03 AV. ?My 02 Av you turned the key to the right and then back to the center and removed the key. My 03 AV you turn the key to the right and remove it and its locked. To unlock you put the key back in and turn it back straight up.

My 02 locks the same as you decribe your 03 does. ???

Slot horizontal locked, Vertical unlocked (y)
 
I like the horizontal locked, vertical unlocked system of my 2002. One glance as I walk away I can make sure that the toolboxes and tailgate are locked.
 
my tailgate fell today, it scared the you know what outta me. i thought i blew out a tire or something. i had it happen on my 02 once also...i guess its back to the old "slam and pull" method
 
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