My girlfriend wrecked her 2004 trailblazer and broke the back handle to open the main tail gate can direct me to some kkind of diagram of the locking mechanisn/

hi mate you should be able to remove handle ..if you remove the inner panal on thee inside of the tail gate...it sould be secured with i think 10 mm nuts ...you need to remove the linkages to be for you can remove the handle....to remove inner panel it should just be cliped in place use a butter knife and slide it in the gap around outer edge of the panal.and gently pry the panal away from the tailgate..

on the tailgate there is 3 screws that covers the handle and the left and right rod for the latch to unlock the tail gate get some WD40 and spray each out side latch they do stick on Chevy alot then try to use the handle and look inside an see if the rod moves right or the clip may be broke at the handle good luck..

Your best bet is to check your area salvage yards. The handle has two holes in the the back which break out over time mainly due to lack of lubrication. Make sure you get the retaining clips that secure the rods to the handle and lubricate all associated linkage and latches first with WD-40 then with grease such as wheel bearing grease that will stay in place.

I have the exact same issue on my 2006 JEEP Liberty. Has anyone solved this?

the tail gate lift assist gas cylinders are worn out, replace them, a very easy job, contact any local parts store for replacement gas springs about $30 each

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

Open tail gate. Use the access square inside - pull cable to open tail gate. Remove interier panel - 2 bolts plus 2 screws (2 bolts on handle and 1 screw each side), pull remainder out of guide clips. Now have full access to locking mechanism. Identified a retaining spring had come loose sending guides to shift left (exterior point of view). Place hand in tail gate and move guides over and put spring in place to retain. verify it works and put back together. Handle is the trickiest part as the bolts have to go through the interior panel and afix to the metal tail gate.

Hi;The latch/ouside handle is held on by four bolts on the inside of tailgat. Remove the four bolts and the handle should come clear so you can see the mechanism. Your on you own now.

from inside if you can get to the panel and remove it to reach the mechanism to open the tailgate and try autozone.com to see if they have your car listed for diagrams pictures and step by step instructions if your car is not listed then try your local library they have all the car manuals and even copy them for you

I have the solution to every one out there with tailgate lock problems......I had the very same problem but wasnt interested in getting a power lock.......Here goes.....it costs you some wd40 or liquid wrench.....nothing else......open the tail gate.....you will see the screws that hold the handle in place.....take off the two outer screws only....then pop off the handle cover....yes it does come off without breaking.....you will see something shaped like a "C".....it should move back and forth.....with the tailgate closed you should be able to move that "C" back and forth...it swivels on a pivot you can see in the opening above the tailgate handle.......this is the lock mechanism.....mine was seized up.....anyways......with the tailgate still closed squirt some wd40 or liquid wrench in the area directly above the tailgate handle........that "C" thing will move again and your problem is over...email me if you figured it out........
I was delighted with the fix.....and it's so easy to do.....then put everything back in its place......tell everyone you know....