My 1998 Plymouth Grand Voyager's tailgate latch will not unlock or release via the latch. I can release it using the emergency access hole on the inside skin, but that is not real convenient, so I thought I would replace the tailgate latch and see if that helps. I have never done this before and would appreciate any advice, especially step by step instructions, that anybody could provide who has done this before. Thanks in advance.

If you remove inside panel and get penetrating spray on all the linkages, at all the pivot points, you may just fix your problem. Follow each and every linkage to it's connection locations and spray them well and allow them to soak a while, then start working them by hand, key etc, until they loosen up and begin to move more freely. Spray backside of latch assembly as well as get that little red nozzle in to key slot on opposite side and spray as well. It may take a few coatings but eventually they should loosen up. After everything loosened and moving freely, coat all those joints (pivot points), linkages, latch, with a generous amount of white lithium spray grease or similar to keep them better protected for the future. It may require latch replacement eventually, but if everything connected to it is seized, you'll be back where you started.