Broken tailgate latch

the outside latch and other parts https://www.google.com/search?q=1989+chevy+blazer+s10+tailgate+latch+assembly&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS812US812&source=univ&tbm=shop&tbo=u&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjnvKX9tu_iAhVth-AKHYMBCpcQsxgILw&biw=1600&bih=789 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0yC1-EhjSI

several things come to mind, how long since opened? if very long time might be latches rusted up, other is that connection inside has come loose. remove the inner liner of tailgate and look inside and try pulling the latch rods by hand and free up tailgate. fix rod if disconnected and /or clean latches with wd-40 and brush, spray clean and spray with lithium grease.

If you are saying the latch mechanism has been removed then use a coat hanger with a small "U" bent on one end. Insert the hanger into the tailgate (where the latch was) to one side and fish for the rod which normally connects to the latch mechanism. After you find one side retain it with a string or the like and find the rod on the other side. Once you have both pull them both toward the center of the tailgate and the tailgate will open.

i have 99 blazer did same thing took panle off tailgate wire came off window latch put it back on been fine ever since

I have a similar problem, my tailgate stopped working with the outside handle and the remote but can be opened manually from the inside. I don't have an alarm so there is no problem with that but did you get a solution for the tailgate problem that I could try?

unfortunatly there is no way to open the tail gate(without breaking the inside cover )but once you do that,your hand can fit inside the gate and all you have to do is feel around for the gate latch,pull it,then the gate will open. hope this helps(i have a 1996 blazer i had to do the same thing)!!

under the carpet installed on the tailgate door, there is a hole. put a screw driver in it and manually flip the latch open, to start.
yjen take the door panel off, one screw with the interiro handle, and pull the rest off,
watch the auto release slidw side to side, you will find a broken piece here, I made an extension piece with a plastic hook and screw, works fine for over a year, lube all latch parts with wd 30 once opened.

Mine just did the exact same thing. The latch may be moving freely because it is not hooked to the latching mechanism anymore. In my case, the handle had broken where the handle hooks to the rod that operates the mechanism. Go to the Ford dealer and buy a new handle. Here in S.C. it was $24. You can't get this at the parts houses. Start by removing the plastic "Ford" cover that is over the liscense plate lights. You then have to remove the aluminum rivets that hold the handle to the tailgate from the outside and remove the broken latch. Remove the pull handle loop on the interior side of the tailgate (2 screws), unsnap the inside plastic tailgate interior panel, and pull down the black plastic sheeting that is underneath the panel to make access to the mechanism inside of the tailgate. There is also a hard plastic cover that you will see that needs to be pulled loose to open another access hole. Install the new tailgate latch handle by sliding back into the mounting holes and attach with two 10-32 screws and nuts. The new handle will come with a new yellow rod attachment piece on the handle. You will see inside of the tailgate a small rod hanging down, most likeky it will have the same rod attachment piece as the one on the new handle. Note the position of the yellow piece on the rod, as you will connect the new piece in the same place. Once the rod is hooked up, relubricate the metal mechanism with a light machine oil, replace the black plastic cover, replace the black plastic sheeting, (secure with a small amount of duct tape), replace the tailgate interior panel, replace the pull handle loop, shut tailgate, replace "Ford" cover over lights, and you're done!

remove all the screws you can and gently pull the panel back. you should be able to see down to the latch assembly and reach the release for the latch

remove the tailgate handle trim cover, disconnect handle from side that's not working & pull on rod manually. ( thats if it's not broken already) You have probably broken rod from handel.