Rear hatch won’t unlock or open

[Burban22]

Rear hatch won’t unlock. When I cycle the door locks, I can hear the rear hatch mechanism locking, but nothing happens when unlocking. There’s no way to open it with a key. Both the rear glass and the rear hatch remain locked.

Is there a secret release somewhere? I guess I could attempt to pull the interior plastic cover off while it’s closed.

Anyone experienced this issue?

2005 suburban.

 

[Doubeleive]

Rear hatch won’t unlock. When I cycle the door locks, I can hear the rear hatch mechanism locking, but nothing happens when unlocking. There’s no way to open it with a key. Both the rear glass and the rear hatch remain locked.

Is there a secret release somewhere? I guess I could attempt to pull the interior plastic cover off while it’s closed.

Anyone experienced this issue?

2005 suburban.

on the (inside of vehicle) rear cover plastic, bottom center about where the mechanism would be on the outside there should be a dimple in the plastic, that is where is a drill would be used to make a 1/4" hole and then a LONG screwdriver can be inserted to push the lock tab open. the dimple may be hard to see look closely.
afterwards a plastic plug can be used to cover the hole that was made.

 

[Burban22]

on the (inside of vehicle) rear cover plastic, bottom center about where the mechanism would be on the outside there should be a dimple in the plastic, that is where is a drill would be used to make a 1/4" hole and then a LONG screwdriver can be inserted to push the lock tab open. the dimple may be hard to see look closely.
afterwards a plastic plug can be used to cover the hole that was made.

Removing the interior panel is not possible with the hatch closed?

Looks like I’m moving this mechanism? Not my video just found one picturing the rear lock

 

[Doubeleive]

Removing the interior panel is not possible with the hatch closed?

Looks like I’m moving this mechanism? Not my video just found one picturing the rear lock

people have got it off before enough to reach in there but I am sure it breaks something in the process, if you see the dimple then that is where you drill a small hole just big enough to get a screwdriver thru it and that will open the mechanism

 

[Mudsport96]

Just for grins, push down on the wiper while trying to pop open the glass. Mine would not open at one point and it was because the wiper wasnt all the way down. O think it is a safety thing to prevent damage. May not explain the whole gate not opening, but it is a place to start

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Removing the interior panel is not possible with the hatch closed?

Looks like I’m moving this mechanism? Not my video just found one picturing the rear lock

The advice that @Doubeleive is giving you spot on. There are many threads in this Forum of this specific issue and this specific resolution. That dimple on the plastic cover is there for that specific reason.

 

[CAA0358]

Rear hatch won’t unlock. When I cycle the door locks, I can hear the rear hatch mechanism locking, but nothing happens when unlocking. There’s no way to open it with a key. Both the rear glass and the rear hatch remain locked.

Is there a secret release somewhere? I guess I could attempt to pull the interior plastic cover off while it’s closed.

Anyone experienced this issue?

2005 suburban.

Had the same problem. Remove your positive battery cable for 10+- minutes. Then reinstall.
Good luck.

 

[Doubeleive]

Just for grins, push down on the wiper while trying to pop open the glass. Mine would not open at one point and it was because the wiper wasnt all the way down. O think it is a safety thing to prevent damage. May not explain the whole gate not opening, but it is a place to start

yes this can also happen there is a safety interlock built into the actuator so that you would not get your hand or face taken off by the wiper arm with the glass open.
if the wiper arm is not "parked" properly the glass will not open. That should not affect the hatch opening but might.

 

[Doubeleive]

if you are scared of drilling a hole in the plastic, that can be covered with a plastic cap.
the process is what the dealer would do if sent to them.
the hole being made is what is shown in the factory service manual.