Tailgate latch

[wilsbronco]

I've searched, but couldn't find a similar question. I'm a new owner of a 1981 bronco. After lowering the back window and opening the tailgate, the driver's side latch accidentally was manually closed. I can't seem to get it back open so that I can close the tailgate. As I am a brand-spanking new owner, I haven't even played with it enough to know which direction the key should be to ensure that it is unlocked. I've tried pulling the handle to get the latch to open without the key, with the key turned clockwise and with the key turned counterclockwise. I've removed the panel on the inside to see the mechanism, pulled on the latch rod, all to no avail.

Any clues or suggestions?? Thanks in advance ...

 

[Roadkill]

The key has nothing to do with the latch, it only operates the window motor. As for the latch, as long as you didn't slam it too hard in the "closed" position and really jammed it in there, it shouldn't be too hard to get it back in the open position. Just use a screwdriver or something to stick in the slot part of the latch where the striker pin would be if the tailgate were closed properly. Then push/pry it towards the open position while pulling on the handle. It should pop back out without too much trouble.

 

[wilsbronco]

Thanks for the help. It's not really jammed. I can push it more into the closed position and I've already tried pulling with a screwdriver while someone else is pulling on handle. It has probably about 30 degrees of play back and forth, but won't disengage to the open position. The tailgate was difficult to open to start with so it may be a problem with the rod, etc., assembly. I'll keep trying.

 

[mjkabc]

I had a similar problem with one of my tailgate latches not opening. you might want to try opening up the access panel inside the tailgate. you have to take the carpet off the inside of the tailgate then youll see a little panel that you need to unscrew. Take that off and you'll see a rod coming from the jammed latch and just pull on the rod while pulling up on the tailgate handle. Mess around with pulling that rod for a little and it should open up. when it happened to me i took it to my ford dealer and they were about to order some part that would have fixed it but i decided to just get a whole new tailgate since mine was rusted pretty bad.

 

[smrtrthnmostgirls]

Heys wilsbronco,

Did ya figure it out yet??? I got the same problem. can't get the drivers latch to the "open" position.

Let me know if you did. And how.