Liftgate wont open

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[dinc]

Hi Friends,


I have a 2008 SLE Acadia.

My liftgate wont open. The liftgate is having electronic switch (instead of manual lever) to unlock the door. I do not have the complete power liftgate where there is a motor to open the liftgate. 

When I press the switch in the gate, I can hear the click sound of the lock. But door is still shut! I pulled hardly but still is shut.

I am wondering if anyone had faced this? Also, I dont know how will the mechanic open the liftgate.... is there any manual switch we can press to make it open (like CD/DVD drives  )

THanks.

Ronil

[GeoHawk]

Chances are it's a bad touchpad, and needs to be replaced.  I don't know of any backup method for opening it if the touchpad fails.  Sorry.

[dinc]

Chances are it's a bad touchpad, and needs to be replaced.  I don't know of any backup method for opening it if the touchpad fails.  Sorry.

Hi, i wish it is touchpad only. But when i press the touchpad, i can hear the click sound (as I used to since before). I am afraid that the motor or plunger (haven't seen what is inside) can not completely unlock the mechanism.

Oh, what will happen if motor or plunger totally failed. How will the dealer gain access to the inside? I dont think they can removed the interior black plastic when the door is shut.  I wish they have atleast retain the key access where we can use our key to open the lifegate manually....

It seems I can't sleep well tonight. 

[50andunretired]

You can open the liftgate without electrical power.
From inside there is an access plug that you need to remove on the liftgate.
Then push on the silver lever located to the right, inside the access hole.
It should now open from the outside.

Hope this helps.

[Nvr2loud]

Where do you live?

Mine freezes shut sometimes from the cold weather. I hear the click but the liftgate will not open until thawed-out a little bit.

[GeoHawk]

Where do you live?

Mine freezes shut sometimes from the cold weather. I hear the click but the liftgate will not open until thawed-out a little bit.

It's probably not the cold.  He lists Kuwait as his location in his signature. 

[rbarrios]

If the battery is properly connected
and has adequate voltage, and the
liftgate still will not function, the
vehicle should be taken to a dealer
for service

BUT--- thats the manual talking.

In the rear- at the base of the tailgate (this is my traverse)..
there is a plug- remove it (screwdriver or fingernail- it pops off) and you have access to the mechanical.
Stick a screwdriver in there and it should release the mechanism.
Youll have to lower the rear seats and lay down to take a look at what youre poking at.

[dinc]

Thanks guyz!  I thought there will be no manunal access to open it manually.. hehehe.

I will look for it later.

[Nvr2loud]

It's probably not the cold.  He lists Kuwait as his location in his signature. 

My bad... I didn't even read his signature, just noticed there was no location listed in his bio / info

[dinc]

50andretired, rbarrios & Friends,

I have tried poking the thing inside the access, but it seems I don't know the proper way to release it.

Would you be kind to guide me on which way I am going to move the lever?

Attached is the picture. I wish you can download it and edit it in MS paint to mark the directions? 


Kind regards,
Ronil

[50andunretired]

Unfortunately you still can't just copy a picture onto this forum. 
So we can't see what you wanted to show us.

You need to create an account at photobucket or flicker or some other site to generate a code and then copy it to the posting.
I know it's a little hassle, but for now that is the only way to get around it.

If I remember correctly.  The manual says to PUSH on the silver lever with a screwdriver. It should be to the right of the hole.

Hope that helps.   

[50andunretired]

I just looked at mine and it appears that the silver lever is pretty much straight back through the oblong hole.

Did you get it unlatched yet.
I did photograph it but the images aren't as sharp as I would like.
However if you really can't figure it out I would be happy to upload the image for you.

If you go straight back and not to the right (like the service manual says) you should hit it, then just push.
Once it unlocks go around to the outside of it and pull like normal.
Use a flat bladed screwdriver, the wider the tip the better.

Hope this helps and you can get it open, if you haven't already taken it in for service.

[dinc]

Hi 50andretired  and Friends,

Sorry just got back today. I have already unlocked my Tailgate 2 days back.

Yes you are right! That is the small metal (tooth like) that you have to push horizontally (though it seems it will go on a downward direction). You have to look thru or inside the hole of that flat silver metal. As on the picture that rbarrios uploaded, it is seems to be the small metals which has glare because of his flash inside that hole.

Once I opened my gate, I just sprayed enough WD-40 to grease it up. Everything is good now.


Thanks for sharing guys!