Tailgate lock

The key for the tailgate lock on my new 96 roadmaster has broken off in the lock. The previous owner said just about a half inch broke off inside the lock. I guess my only option is disassembling the tailgate. Do you guys have any other ideas on how to get it open? The switch in the front doesn't work and neither does the button on the key thing.

I took the tailgate panel off and opened the window. I was messing with the lock and window mechanism a bunch and all of a sudden it worked by pushing the lock cylinder button. Then I tried the key button and the dash button and they all worked. I tried it a few more times and it stopped working. So now it works sometimes. The silver cylindrical thing in there is the solenoid? Can that be replaced? What are the two things to the left of the latch that push in when the window is closed? What else could the problem be?

It could be the solenoid, or it could be the wiring. The button on the gate will only work when the gate is unlocked, and the gearshift lever is in neutral or park. The interior button, and the remote will only work when the gearshift lever is in neutral or park.

I would consider the solenoid first. They tend to get corroded and stop working. You can clean them with some WD40 or similar. You may also have to use some fine W/D carbide paper to clean the slide.

The ground for the solenoid is the frame of the gate, and there may be some corrosion under the solenoid where it bolts to the gate.

You should fish the piece of key out of the lock. It is not hard with a piece of thin music wire. A lock shop might do it for you if you buy a "second" key.

The two pins that are spring loaded are the connectors for the CHSL.

I got it working. The solenoid wasn't grounded properly so I ran a new ground. Now it works every time. I kept setting it on a bare metal plate on the tailgate and it would work, then I'd set it on the painted part and it wouldn't. That's what tipped me off.

I got the piece of key out and unfortunately the lock cylinder is not working properly. I can't get the key to turn. I tried just about everything. Not a big deal since the three electronic releases work fine.

Glad you got her fixed, as you now know, those locks are very finicky. Even though the electronic releases are working fine, I would get the cylinder fixed. If the battery goes dead and you have to get into the back of the wagon, your only option is the key. Even if you climb through the car, you would not be able to release the back window and open the door, although a hammer would do it.

I've had the battery go dead and not be able to get in the back, unless I had the key.

Tom

If you get another tailgate lock, it can be rekeyed to match your door locks.

That's what I'm going to do.

Thanks for the input I'm having a similar problem with the OCC I bought.

I was hoping you were having a similar issue that mine has, when you push the cylinder in, it sticks in there and with the key in there and twisting slightly, the cylinder can be wiggled back out. If they do get stuck in there, the solenoid will keep clicking until its out.

I wish mine worked, its a pain reaching into the front to open the gate.

stewzer55 wrote:

I was hoping you were having a similar issue that mine has, when you push the cylinder in, it sticks in there and with the key in there and twisting slightly, the cylinder can be wiggled back out.  If they do get stuck in there, the solenoid will keep clicking until its out.  

I wish mine worked, its a pain reaching into the front to open the gate.

WD 40 works good,. soak it,. then push the lock in,. bang the metal next to it with your fist to help it pop out again,. , repeat as necessary till lock moves freely

Also seafoam deep creep works good.