Rear lift gate lock stuck in the closed position

The 2003 Toyota 4Runner should have a small access cover in the lower center portion of the rear door trim panel. Removing this cover will give you access to the rear door lock/latch assembly. It could be that the actuator portion of the assembly has failed in the lock position. You'll need to manipulate the mechanism on the assembly in order to get the latch to release and the door to open. If you need more room to do so, the assist pull strap can be removed followed by the rear door trim panel; this will be difficult in the closed position but possible with minimal damage to the trim panel. I would plan on having a new rear door lock/latch assembly ready for installation as they are rarely fixed via lubrication. Rear gate lock/latch assembly replacement is very similar that of a trunk on a sedan which you can read about here: https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-replace-a-trunk-lock-actuator-by-michael-france

You probably need to pull the manual release and physically move the latch back into its unmatched position. The latch hook will rotate open so that it can receive the fixed bar on the body.

use a round bar ( a screw driver ) and place it under the latch and pull the latch out as you press the button to unlock as if you were opening the door.

I have a 2008 Suburban with the power liftgate disabled. I have had the power latch stop working, and the BCM report that the rear access open when it is closed (both gate and glass). Somehow the liftgate module thinks the gate is open, so I cannot open the gate at all, and the latch and rear wiper will not work. To reset the control module I pulled the liftgate fuse (#20) in the instrument panel fuse box, turned the car on, off, reinstalled fuse, turned car on, unlocked doors using drivers side switch, and the power latch will function again - at least for a while.

no answer but same problem. ever figure it out?

OK, it could be the wiring to the solenoid actuator for the door lock, or the solenoid actuator for the door lock itself that needs to be replaced.

Does the door unlock manually, somehow?

It sounds like a rod going to the latch came off. You can try to pry the latch to the open position while the outside handle is in the pull to open position at the same time. If that does not work the rod indeed came off inside to the latch or handle area

sounds like you lached the door
use a screw driver or some such tool
lift the outer handle and slip your tool in the middle of the lock hole in the door flip the lach open wile holding handle up

did you ever figure out how to get your lift gate open? im having the same problem with my durango. i couldnt get the panel off so like a ****** i cut a hole in the panel so i could see the latch completely and i when i try to open it manually i can see the components moving but it is still acting permanently locked and will not open. Its so frustrating. Help!?!?!?

Hello and welcome the problem is very simple to resolve first make sure you have battery power turn off vehicle open rear gate unlock doors go to rear gate and look at lock unlock again and push the Grey plastic lock trigger mechanism forward towards front glass close gate unlock again make sure lock is still in the position you just set it to and close glass it will the lock. Normally what happens in this situation was power was removed from your jeep and the rear gate was opened with no power running to electric lock so it stays in a set position you cannot lock the glass because there was no power in the electric lock I will lock once you reset it Hope this help. Please Rate Me . For further assistance you can always ask me.