Originally Posted by longspoon

My promised response on how to open the tailgate/liftgate when it is locked if you are too big to squeeze into boot/trunk area. First remove right hand side number plate illumination lamp. The lens and festoon bulb come away first, then ease down one end of the plastic lamp base pulling the base sideways once one end is lowered to release. This avoids breaking the plastic lamp base lugs which are integral to the base. Using a small screwdriver which needs to be about 8" long preferably with a slight bend in the end, you can flip up the lever which opens the lock. Most locking/unlocking problems seem to be related to fractured air lines, my lock would not open because the vacuum/pressure diaphragm unit had pulled away from its mounting bracket. Also the tailgate release handle was partially seized on its hinge.