grolsch-drinker

Had this problem yesterday. First you must understand the normal principal of operation. When the car is unlocked, raising the tailgate handle operates an internal micro-switch which signals the central control unit to operate a solenoid and move a lever to open the lock. In my case the solenoid is not operating powerfully enought to trip the lock. This maybe a faulty solenoid or a contol unit fault. However until yesterday, using the key would mechanically trip the lock. yesterday key-operated part of the lock broke and so the tailgate would not open. Since you need to open the tailgate to remove the screws which secure the trim, I was stuck. By getting inside the car andforcing the trim back from immediately below the window glass, it is just posible to force the lever towards the passenger side and trip the lock. Of course the lever is hard to see but the lock barrel mechanism would normally operate the lever so push a large screwdriver in the gap and move it towards the passenger side. When I finally get it fixed with a new lock I will cut a 2" dia. hole in the trim in order to gain access should it fail again Regards Grolsch-Drinker.