This is the tailgate door on my daughter's RAV4. It won't open. The handle just pulls like it's disconnected. The handle mechanism is broken somewhere inside. I need to fix the broken handle mechanism but I first have to figure out how to get the door open. I've read about side doors getting the child safety lock switched on accidentally, but I don't think that's it.
I crawled in the back and removed the trim to gain access to the mechanism, but it's off to the side of the opening and narrow so I can't even get a good look at it. I did manage to see the rod that goes from the handle down to the actuating mechanism, and there is a white plastic piece that was attached to it that broke into pieces.
I'm not entirely certain that piece is the problem, but I can't really see it well enough to figure out how it works. Even if I could, it's such a narrow space that I can't get a screwdriver in there to leverage anything. If it is the child lock (I don't know if there is even one on the rear door) I can't see it from the inside to switch it back.
I had a thought that maybe I could remove the spare tire cover and maybe get access, but I haven't looked at that yet. I can't even find a good parts blowup, then maybe I could figure something out. Anyone have any ideas for me?
Thanks!
Dan
I crawled in the back and removed the trim to gain access to the mechanism, but it's off to the side of the opening and narrow so I can't even get a good look at it. I did manage to see the rod that goes from the handle down to the actuating mechanism, and there is a white plastic piece that was attached to it that broke into pieces.
I'm not entirely certain that piece is the problem, but I can't really see it well enough to figure out how it works. Even if I could, it's such a narrow space that I can't get a screwdriver in there to leverage anything. If it is the child lock (I don't know if there is even one on the rear door) I can't see it from the inside to switch it back.
I had a thought that maybe I could remove the spare tire cover and maybe get access, but I haven't looked at that yet. I can't even find a good parts blowup, then maybe I could figure something out. Anyone have any ideas for me?
Thanks!
Dan