Rear door hatch will not open

1999 DODGE CARAVAN
89,000 MILES • 3.3L • V6 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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QUESADAM
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I'm unable to open rear door hatch on my van. I removed little plastic from inside the vehicle to try to pop it from there but I can't see what to pry to open it. If you have any ideas or can send me a picture of what to look for would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Jul 3, 2020 at 9:32 PM
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STEVE W.
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 15,340 POSTS
Look into the hole inside the door at the latch, You should see an electrical connection on one side an a rod attached to a lever on the other. The rod and lever are the release. If you can pull it away from the latch toward the outside of the vehicle it should release. If yours has the small hole and only a small rod sticking out pulling it up and to the right should release it.
Jul 4, 2020 at 7:22 AM
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QUESADAM
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I should've mentioned that I don't have power locks. So is there much difference?
Jul 4, 2020 at 8:06 AM
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STEVE W.
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 15,340 POSTS
Nope, the electrical connection is for the door ajar switch not the power locks, those are an add on item that mounts inside the door and pulls the lock rod attached to the key cylinder and the remote hatch releases are a solenoid that pulls the same rod you need to pull to release the hatch.
Jul 4, 2020 at 8:47 AM
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QUESADAM
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Great. Thank you sir. I appreciate your help.
Jul 5, 2020 at 6:06 AM
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STEVE W.
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 15,340 POSTS
You are welcome. Let us know what you find.
Jul 5, 2020 at 12:04 PM
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