Need to find tailgate latch for 1996 960 wagon

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.

the tail gate needs to be opened from inside ask to the dentor he chk out the links of the tail gate locks

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..

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)!!

Thats what you will need to do is to remove the interior gate panel so you can release the latch. It will come off although a bit difficult with the gate closed, with a little care you can do it without breaking anything. It sounds like possibly a linkage retainer clip broke.
Try pushing in on the gate while turning the release handle in case the latch is in a bind if that dont work remove the panel

latches for this are on the sides. The are connected by the handle in the middle of the gate. Latches are either stuck open (dry or frozen open) or stuck closed and you are banging on them when trying to close and "latch" gate. Get a screwdriver and while pulling up on tailgate handle make sure latches(on gate) are open to engage "striker bolt". If they are spray them liberally with WD40 or silicone SPRAY. latch and open several times to let lubricant attack rusted area on mechanism.

If latches won't open they may be stuck closed and won't open because cable going from middle handle to that side or both sides is disconnected. Does tailgate have star shaped bolts on "inside-bed-when-closed" side? If so you will need to spray these with WD40 and let set then get a star torques bit and remove them to access middle handle actuator.

my v70 vovlo estate(2000) tailgate wont open.checked fuses ok.no sound from mechansim when key fob depressed as the others do.Cant get into the back panel or open door at all.can you help with a suggestion?

I know this sounds silly, but is the latch locked? If I lock mine, the latch will lift but the gate won't open.

you need to remove the tail gate rear cover (i think it is a torx bit 30) and then manualy open the tail gate. more than likely it will need a handle, and two latches.

Access through the panel on the "inside."