tailgate stuck

CHEVROLET IMPALA
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BRIK
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Hello - The tailgate on my 2000 Silverado Z-71 flareside is stuck shut. I
have a spray in bedliner and cannot see if there are any screws on inside.
Outside is a trim piece around handle. That came off once and was repaired with double sticky tape. . I do not remember any screw heads or anything behind there that will help me get to the troublesome parts. On top edge I have a rail protector. When I try to open the tailgate it does seem like something is releasing but the tailgate doesn't move. If I then push on it hard it does seem to re-engage and click into place. There is only about 1/16" movement.

So, how do I proceed? Do I try and find some screws on the inside, under my spray in liner? Do I pry off the trim on the outside? Remove the rail
protector? Jaws of life? Suggestions please. Alldatadiy doesn't have any
schematics to show me where to even begin to look for the problem.

TIA
Jan 8, 2006 at 6:01 AM

What to check next

Diagnostic guidance. Suggested checks and possible repairs are separate from the owner's reported results.

Verify that both latches release and secure correctly and that the linkage has the appropriate retainer. Complete the trim attachment using the correct method for the truck.

Guidance references and applicability

Source: This question and its visible discussion. Owner reports are distinguished from other participants' experiences. Follow-up guidance is not a confirmed diagnosis.

Read the replies · Discussion summary and reported outcome

AI-ASSISTED GUIDANCE · REVIEWED BY 2CARPROS
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THE AMAZING RAYMONDO
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I had the same problem with my 90 scottsdale. I ended up having to bend the latch tabs about 1/16th of an inch outward. If your very carefull you can get a small flathead in the crease of the tailgate and move the lock toung in to release the gate.But BE CAREFUL otherwise you could chip the paint. Its kinda like getting into your house when the door is locked.
Jan 8, 2006 at 8:21 AM
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MICKMOYNIHAN
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I had the same problem on my S-10. Where the handle is, look very carefully to see if the rods are connected. One rod will go in one hole and the other rod will go into a hole on the other side, near the back. When you pull, the plate turns and pulls on the two rods. If one comes undone or disconnected, it will only work on one side. If one rod is disconneced, you can pull on the handle and also on the rod to open the tailgate. Use a bright light.
Mick
Jan 10, 2006 at 4:59 AM
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BRIK
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Well - I ended up needing to pull off the trim around the handle. It was attached with double sticky foam tape from a previous repair. Not sure how its normally attached. Seems one rod came off, the other was still OK (Thats why it sort of seemed to unlatch and re-latch, only one side was operating). The rod is attached to the handle mechanisim with a push nut. Cost me $.07 at Sears hardware and I was good to go. I still need to ra-attach the trim plate but its been raining and cold.
Jan 11, 2006 at 9:32 AM

Discussion summary

tailgate stuck

The tailgate on a 2000 Silverado would not open. The owner found that one linkage rod had disconnected from the handle mechanism and reported securing it with a replacement retainer.

Reported outcome: The owner reported that the tailgate worked after securing the rod; reattaching the trim was still outstanding.

The handle trim had previously been attached with foam tape. This account does not establish the factory attachment method or a universal retainer specification.

Read the original discussion

AI-ASSISTED SUMMARY · REVIEWED BY 2CARPROS
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