Outback tailgate not locking

DoppelRu · Post by **DoppelRu** » Fri Dec 31, 2010 1:26 pm

Hi all,
hope someone can offer some advice. I have a 06 Outback and the tailgate has stopped locking. Any ideas on how to diagnose this, or manually lock it until I can get to a dealer?

Thanks in advance!

-DR

suba1 · Post by **suba1** » Fri Dec 31, 2010 3:10 pm

get a bit of rope and tie to you're tow bar or look underneath like a towing hitch or bumper bar that will secure it to you get to a dealer to fix it for u

DoppelRu · Post by **DoppelRu** » Sun Jan 02, 2011 7:30 am

Happy New Year!

I should have been clearer in my post; the tailgate latches and stays closed fine. It's just that it doesn't lock; there's no 'click' from the tailgate when I hit the lock button on the remote.

Is it easy to get to the lock mechanism, and if so, is there a way to manually lock it?

Thanks!

bonzaman · Post by **bonzaman** » Sun Jan 02, 2011 7:49 am

have you checked fuse or try replacement switch from wrecker

RSR 555 · Post by **RSR 555** » Sun Jan 02, 2011 12:16 pm

DoppelRu wrote:Happy New Year!

I should have been clearer in my post; the tailgate latches and stays closed fine. It's just that it doesn't lock; there's no 'click' from the tailgate when I hit the lock button on the remote.

Is it easy to get to the lock mechanism, and if so, is there a way to manually lock it?

Thanks!

Happy New Year to you too DoppelRu

Hope you had a good one?

Yes it sounds like the wire has come off the locking mechanism or faulty unit. The interior panel inside the tailgate is easily removed.. it's held on by plastic clips.. just put your fingers (or some sort of lever) and pull the trim away from the gate. I'd grab yourself a test light and check for power.

Cheers,
Paul

DoppelRu · Post by **DoppelRu** » Tue Jan 04, 2011 5:32 pm

RSR 555 wrote:
Yes it sounds like the wire has come off the locking mechanism or faulty unit. The interior panel inside the tailgate is easily removed.. it's held on by plastic clips.. just put your fingers (or some sort of lever) and pull the trim away from the gate. I'd grab yourself a test light and check for power.

Cheers,
Paul

Thanks for the tip. Pulling the trim off gives access to the locking mechanism; there's a little latch in there which you can move by hand, which locks/unlocks the tailgate. Inconvenient, but at least I can lock it now.
The connectors look fine; nothing obviously loose or broken.

Time to see what the used car warranty is actually good for...

FROG · Post by **FROG** » Wed Jan 05, 2011 2:45 pm

Good luck new actuator is about $200