Emil In Wyoming

I can't get the 'search' to work so forgive me...
The rear door latch on my 'Runner has died, I've had some self resolving problems with it before but this time it won't open the hatch at all. Is there anything I can look at fixing here, are parts involved or do you think something is just out of place?
Thanks,
Emil

ScottyBean

will it not open because the latch is stuck open? if thats so just push it down. I find when I open my 96, it gets stuck full extended, and when i try to close it, it doesnt. It will just bang off and off until that latch is popped back in place.

Bob_98SR5

emil,

most likely your latch mechanism's nuts are loose. see the attached pic. the two nuts on the side are worth looking at.

to remove the rear plastic panel, remove the strap w/ a 10mm (iirc) socket and then remove the plastic panel. they'll snap off so dont worry (red snaps). then inspect the nuts and see if thats the prob

bob

TaterN

Wyoming>>>
I have the same problem as you, at least it appears. I'll add one more detail that you may have missed that is confusing those trying to help. On mine anyway something has definately broken. The latch trigger has practically NO tension when you go to open the rear door. Something (rods probably) has broke or come loose here...it usually takes a good firm pull for that trigger to open the closed hatch. There is no "pull" now.
While I do some more searching, I just hope the rear window keeps working!

Bob>>>
What you are describing is probably the problem. If the bolts come off though, are they easy to fish out of the bottom of the door? I've never been into that rear door yet.

Bob_98SR5

...since this thread is being referenced recently, i'll answer tater's question above:

yes, if the nuts have fallen and you've removed the plastic panel, it is easy to get at the fallen nuts

bob

bamachem

see the white plastic thingy in the pic posted above? that's a rod retainer and if it breaks, then the actuator rod will slip out and you won't have any linkage to the latch mehcanism. replace it (avaialbe at any auto parts store or the dealer) and you'll be good as new.

gonzopb

I am having a similar problem but the latch is all the way out and the door is still shut. The latch is stuck in the out (open) position.

Bob_98SR5

referencing the pic above, did you remove the plastic panel and see what the problem might be?

skirkup535

Hi, I know this an old post but it helped me. I just checked why mine wouldn't open easily and found the loose nuts, tightened them and locked in place with blue locktight. Prior to doing this I cleaned the latch with brake cleaner and lubed with WD-40 and also cut off some of the plastic coating on the latch that was torn and making it bind up. Now it latches fine and opens everytime. But now the interior light stays on. I was thinking the WD-40 screwed up the contacts in the latch. Any thoughts?

skirkup535

Answered my own question, took it all apart again and sprayed heaps of contact cleaner in the latch where the wires lead in. All set.

zumogo

It's a old thread but it help me
Mine wasn't loose but it looked dry so I spray some wd40
I hope it would solve the problem, since it's been acting up lately.
Now it works again


.