How do I open the rear tailgate on my 2002 Chevy tracker? I suspect a rod is broken that operates the handle as there is only free play when you pull up on the latch. Vehicle has a plastic trunk in it and I can't see how to open that either to access the rear door panel.

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

Get a new rod clip at any auto parts store. Look for the broken clip at the bottom of the tailgate and take it with you to match it up.

Remove the plastic bezel that covers the handle. These will snap off with slight pressure applied. Behind the bezel are two bolts that secure the handle to the tailgate. Remove these bolts and the handle will pull forward exposing the rods that pull together to release the locks. Chances are the handle assembly is broken and will need replacement

Hello. I can assist you. Most likely, your door latch is broken and will need to be replaced. Historically these were metal and rusted due to exposure, soooooo now they are plastic and after a few hundred uses, they break. You can purchase the tailgate handle and replace it yourself but my recommendation is to let the shop do it as it can be a little tricky and often the linkage rods also need to be cleaned and lubricated. The total cost of this repair is generally about $75. Thanks for choosing Fixya!

it is probably the plastick clip on the tailgate rod.. it probably fell off... i had to take the tailgate apart and replace the clip on mine.. but if your lucky you can pull the cover off right by the handle,, look inside and fish the rod up and replace clip

lock rods inside the door need to be attached and with exterior door handle broken, it will need to be replaced first. so the assembly will be complete

hope2help shack

there are little metal rods that connect to the handle of the tailgate, just like the rods that connect your door handles to the door hinges and lock mechanism. just pop off the plastic cover over the tailgate handle and check and see if the rods are still connected to the handle.

Try checking that the handle in the tailgate returns to the 'open' postion. Once in a while, usually during/after the winter, the tailgate handle gets stuck in the 'pressed in' postion. I have to use WD-40 or some other lubricant to get the handle working again, which allows me to unlock and open the tailgate.

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!

The linkage may have come disconnected inside the tailgate. Remove the carpet from the tailgate by firmly pulling it outward around the entire edge (it just pops on). Then remove the screws securing the metal plate over the opening, and carefully remove the plastic sheet (if you tear it, it can be replaced with simple construction grade plastic sheeting). You should be able to see the rod that connects to the handle. Verify that both the linkage for the lock and the handle are clipped in place. For comparison, look at whichever rod is connected, there should a plastic clip that rotates in place to prevent the rod from coming out of the hole. The handle will not work unless both of these rods are connected (the lock disengages the handle mechanism entirely when in the locked position).