Rear hatch won't open
#1
Rear hatch won't open
Is there a way to unlatch and open the rear hatch with a screwdriver or something from the inside? I have a 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan 3.8 AWD and the locking mechanism for the rear hatch doesn't appear to be fully unlocking (by both the key and the electric lock), making the rear handle ineffective to open it.
Anybody else ever had this problem? I expect so, huh?
Anybody else ever had this problem? I expect so, huh?
#3
Where would the plug be located?
I presume it's down by the latching mechanism.
The big problem with trying to take off the rear panel cover to expose the latching/locking mechanism is that it doesn't look like it can be done with the liftgate closed.
The key DOES turn in the lock by hand without too much pressure -- no pliers needed -- but it doesn't unlock anything anymore. The outside handle acts just like it's locked -- it doesn't seem to be engaging the latching mechanism.
The only way I can see to uncover the latch and locking mechanism would be to take an electric soldering gun with a cutting head and cut a square by melting the plastic and try to get the cut made before the smoking plastic fumes overcome me. I do this all the time in my VW Rabbits to get at my heater cores without taking the dash out -- it works really well.
The big problem with trying to take off the rear panel cover to expose the latching/locking mechanism is that it doesn't look like it can be done with the liftgate closed.
The key DOES turn in the lock by hand without too much pressure -- no pliers needed -- but it doesn't unlock anything anymore. The outside handle acts just like it's locked -- it doesn't seem to be engaging the latching mechanism.
The only way I can see to uncover the latch and locking mechanism would be to take an electric soldering gun with a cutting head and cut a square by melting the plastic and try to get the cut made before the smoking plastic fumes overcome me. I do this all the time in my VW Rabbits to get at my heater cores without taking the dash out -- it works really well.
#4
and look for a plug Master Tech mentioned. most chrysler product with rear hatch has one.
#6
#7
I finally got it working again. I melted/cut out a square with an electric solder gun and discovered the small threaded rod had become disconnected from the clip. I thoroughly lubricated all the parts with PB Blaster and popped the threaded rod back into the clip, and VOILA! it works! I taped the plastic cut out back in place with Gorilla Tape. Now, if it happens again, I have ready access to the mechanism.