Liftgate will no open, have taken all the screws out of the plasticc panel on the inside and it still will not remove is tight aroung the hydralic lifter bars is there instructions on how to remove the panel?

You should still be able to open itmanually? Unless the lock is not functioning. There may be a plastic plug that pops off on the inside of the liftgate panel so that you can open it. You have to remove the plug and then move the lever with a screw driver. All that being said most likely have some broken wires in the boot at the top of the liftgate where it connects to the body. These wires tend to break from constant flexing when the liftgate is opened and closed. Either way you have to get the liftgate open to inspect them

there are 2 ways,one is you can use a dent puller and pull the lock out of the tailgate and use a slot screw driver to open the door,be aware that you could do a little damage around were the lock assembly is but it can be fixed.the other is to remove the interior door panel to get to the inner assembly and open it from inside the door panel.be aware that its a 2000 car and plastic components dry out and crack when pulling on them.

POWER LIFT-GATE OPERATION - To open the optional power liftgate, push the button on the instrument panel , press on your five-button key fob (if equipped), or press and release the control located in the left rear quarter panel (Figure B). To unlatch the liftgate glass, push the button ) under the center of the license plate lamp shield, or press on your five-button key fob. Do not open the liftgate or the liftgate glass in a garage or other enclosed area with a low ceiling. Keep clear of the liftgate when operating the rear switch. To open the liftgate manually, pull the handle located on the liftgate to release the liftgate from the vehicle. The power system will take over when you release the handle. To close, make certain the rear window is closed, and then pull down the liftgate a few inches to activate power closing. Closing the gate rapidly or more than a few inches may activate the obstacle detection feature and stop the power system.------------ Also click this link for more help:--- http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2011/05/power-liftgate-on-will-not-open-on.html ------------ This should help.Keep updated.Thanks.Helpmech.

Section 01-05: Trim, Interior 1998 Windstar Workshop Manual REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION Procedure revision date: 01/22/1999 Trim Panel, Door Front
Removal

1. Remove door latch cover by prying from top edge and pulling trim free of retaining clips and sliding trim away from latch.
   

1. Remove portion of armrest containing door lock switch and window regulator control switch (14529) by pulling straight up.
   

1. Remove rear view outside mirror mounting hole cover assembly by prying at top and pulling upward to release double-sided clip.
   
   
   Trim Panel
   
   
   
   
   
   Item Part Number Description 1 23942 Front Door Trim Panel 2 56908-S58 Screw (1 Req'd), Right Door 56906-S58 Screw (1 Req'd), Left Door 3 18B978 Radio Speaker Grille Name Plate 4 56911-S58 Screw (1 Req'd) 5 17D720 Cover Assembly Rear View Outside Mirror Mounting Hole

1. Remove screw attaching front door trim panel (23942) to front door (20124) under switch plate.
   

1. Remove two screws located at bottom of front door trim panel.
   

1. Disconnect the door lock switch (14028) and window regulator control switch electrical connectors.
   

1. Remove door window regulator handle if equipped by unsnapping and pivoting away the handle cover from base to expose retaining screw. Remove screw from the door window regulator handle.
   

1. Pull front door trim panel from the top to release hooks from front door .
   

1. Remove front door trim panel.
   

Installation

1. Replace any bent or damaged fasteners.
   

1. Follow removal procedure in reverse order.
   

Body Side
Removal

1. Remove door handle retaining clip by sliding a shop towel between handle and door trim. With tension on the cloth, pull one end of the cloth so it slides between the handle and the door trim. If handle does not come out, reverse direction.
   

1. Unfasten 13 christmas tree fasteners using double-acting spring-loaded trim removal tool and pull body side trim panel from body side door.
   

1. Remove forward and rearward mating sections from under window trim.
   

Installation

1. Replace all christmas tree fasteners.
   

1. Follow removal procedure in reverse order.
   

1. For installation of handle, install clip to handle, then push handle onto shaft to snap in place.
   
   
   
   
   

Back
Removal

1. Disconnect rear window defroster wires.
   

1. Remove the liftgate window garnish moulding as described.
   

1. Remove screws attaching liftgate handle to liftgate and liftgate inside trim panel.
   

1. Using Rotunda Windshield and Moulding Trim Removal Kit 107-R0401 or equivalent, pry pushpins retaining liftgate trim from the liftgate.
   

1. Remove liftgate trim.
   

Installation

1. Follow removal procedure in reverse order.
   
   
   Liftgate
   
   
   
   
   

Remove the liftgate pull handle. Refer to Liftgate Inside Pull Handle Replacement .
DO NOT attempt to remove the liftgate trim panel if there is a failure of the electric latch. Refer to Opening the Liftgate Without Electrical Power .
1
Liftgate Trim Finish Panel
2
Liftgate Trim Finish Retainer Clips (Qty: 2)
3
Liftgate Lower Trim Finish Panel
4
Liftgate Trim Finish Retainer Clips (Qty: 14)

i just fixed the liftgate on my 1998 JGC Laredo this afternoon: door handle, when lifted, does not release latch mechanism

here is a solution that may apply to you...

1. open liftgate flipper window
2. remove door panel screws from inside
3. use coat hanger to pull up on locking mechanism arm (at the bottom) to release latch mechanism
4. with door now open, remove remaining door panel screws to completely remove door panel
5. adjust the positioning of the latch rod in its retaining clip (open clip and reposition rod)
in my case, I had took much slack and repositioned the rod by a few threads (about 1/8th inch) in the clip.
be sure rod is seated fully in the clip and that the clip is securely closed
5. test your fix before re-assembling everything

want a long, detailed version? let me know.

Pretty straight forward.....here are the steps:

Please don't forget to rate--

Rear Window Wiper Motor Removal & Installation To Remove:

1. Disconnect and isolate the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the rear wiper arm.
3. Open the liftgate.
4. Perform the following to remove the liftgate trim panel.
   • If equipped, remove the lift motor link
   • Remove the upper frame molding
   • Remove assist handle screws
   • Disengage the hidden clips around perimeter of liftgate trim
   • Disconnect the electrical connectors.
5. Disconnect the wire connector from the wiper motor.
6. Remove the wiper motor mounting screws.
7. Remove the wiper motor.

To Install:

1. Position the wiper motor in the liftgate.
2. Install the wiper motor mounting screws.
3. Connect the wiring connector.
4. Install the liftgate trim panel.
5. Close the liftgate.

The liftgate consists of the following components:

• liftgate door lock actuator
• liftgate lock cylinder (if equipped)
• liftgate window glass
• liftgate window latch/ajar switch
• liftgate window glass release handle
• liftgate latch remote control which consists of the following component:
  • liftgate release handle
• liftgate latch, which consist of the following component:
  • liftgate latch door ajar switch

Liftgate Latch Actuator Removal and Installation

1. Remove the liftgate latch remote control. For additional information, refer to Liftgate Latch Remote Control in this section.

SECTION 501-14: Handles, Locks, Latches and Entry Systems 2001 Escape Workshop Manual
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION Liftgate Latch Removal and Installation

1. Remove the liftgate trim panel.

1. Disconnect the liftgate ajar switch electrical connector.

1. Disconnect the liftgate latch actuating rod.
   1. Open the clip.
   1. Disconnect the actuating rod.

1. Remove and discard the liftgate latch bolts.

1. Remove the liftgate latch.

1. NOTE: Make sure the liftgate latch release rod is not preloading the latch. It should be clipped in a relaxed state with no slack.
   NOTE: Position the liftgate latch release rod by pushing outboard to remove the slack.
   

1. Remove the screws and the liftgate latch actuator

Is the liftgate truly locked, or will it just not open when you pull the liftgate handle from the outside? Mine will unlock, but sometimes I need to push somewhat on the liftgate at the handle before the mechanism will release.

1. Remove the rear pivot arm; refer to Pivot Arm—Rear .
2. Remove rear pivot arm.
   1. Lift the pivot arm nut cover.
   1. Remove the nut.
   1. Remove the pivot arm.

1. Remove the liftgate door trim panel; refer to Section 501-05 . Remove the (A) liftgate handle to liftgate screws and the (B) liftgate handle. Remove the liftgate trim panel screw access plug. Remove the screw.
2. Remove the liftgate door trim panel.
   1. Use Windshield and Molding/Trim Removal Kit to remove the liftgate door trim panel from the liftgate window opening.
   1. Push the liftgate door trim panel toward the top of the liftgate and remove the liftgate trim panel.

1. Position the watershield aside to gain access to the rear wiper motor.

1. Remove rear wiper motor.
   • Disconnect electrical connector.
   • Remove three retaining bolts.
   • Remove rear wiper motor.

good luck.