TSBs and How-To Articles This is for information on Technical Service Bulletins and for posting How-To Articles.

rear tailgate not opening

Old Mar 2, 2008 | 01:26 PM
  #1 (permalink)  
breslinj's Avatar
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Red face rear tailgate not opening

Hi folks,

I have a 2004 Crossfire Coupe. This evening when I went to open the rear hatch/liftgate, it would not open.
When I push the unlock button on the key twice, I can here a whinning noise from a small motor in the rear cargo area that I have never heard before.

Anybody ever experience this problem, or know how to bypass?
 

Last edited by breslinj; Mar 2, 2008 at 01:36 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 2, 2008 | 03:13 PM
  #2 (permalink)  
Kurts's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,984
Likes: 0
From: N.E. Wisconsin
Default Re: rear tailgate not opening

Have you tried the lock release button on the center console?
Once the locks are released & you continue to 'push the buttons' you will hear a small sound from that area; that's normal.
Any ice build-up?
Remember that you still have to reach under the back hatch & pull the release handle to open it.
 
Reply
Old Mar 2, 2008 | 03:20 PM
  #3 (permalink)  
apkano's Avatar
Life is random...so am I.
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,433
Likes: 2
Default Re: rear tailgate not opening

Try pushing down on the trunk lid as you hit the unlock button twice.

Mine occasionally does this. It feels like the latch handle is connected to nothing. I re-lock the car and then give it a little downward pressure on the trunk while I unlock it...opens up no problem after that.
 
Reply
Old Mar 2, 2008 | 04:31 PM
  #4 (permalink)  
patpur's Avatar
Senior Member/Moderator
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,698
Likes: 1
From: Brookeville, Maryland
Default Re: rear tailgate not opening

Our locks are pneumatic (excuse the spelling if its not right) sounds like your line may have broken. Mine broke and it wouldn't lock. Your sounds like it broke in the locked position. It should be a simple fix if your dealer knows what he's doing. Its a 2 hour repair.

Pat
 
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2008 | 07:38 AM
  #5 (permalink)  
AlG's Avatar
AlG
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 567
Likes: 1
From: Merrick, NY
Default Re: rear tailgate not opening

Sometimes I have to "open" mine twice before it actually opens. Don't understand it but I'm used to it. Hopefully you'll get yours taken care of quickly.
 
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2008 | 07:45 AM
  #6 (permalink)  
breslinj's Avatar
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Default Re: rear tailgate not opening

Thanks folks for the replies. I tried all suggestions - looks like the pneumatic line may have broken down to the lock. I live in Ireland and I have absolutely no faith in the dealers as Crossfires are few and far between here. Bit I'll give them a go.
 
Reply
Old Mar 4, 2008 | 06:37 PM
  #7 (permalink)  
NigelStar's Avatar
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Default Re: rear tailgate not opening

I fixed mine using - plastic glue and some garden irrigation tubing - cost - <$10 (would have been less if I could return the other 49ft of tubing I didnt required) and took about 30 mins.

It depends where the pipe is broken. If you cant open it though this may be the bigger issue
 
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2008 | 06:28 PM
  #8 (permalink)  
klamathpro's Avatar
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
Default Re: rear tailgate not opening

You've got to be kidding me. Our hatch is pneumatically locked? Frak! I can see this breaking down on all of them a few years down the line. How do you open it to fix it if the hose is broke at the latch?
Double-U Tee Eff.
I'm losing my confidence, slowly but surely.
 
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2008 | 07:55 PM
  #9 (permalink)  
CdnX-fireOwner's Avatar
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada
Default Re: rear tailgate not opening

As far as I know all locks are pnuematic....not only the rear hatch...correct me if I am wrong
 
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2008 | 03:34 AM
  #10 (permalink)  
apkano's Avatar
Life is random...so am I.
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,433
Likes: 2
Default Re: rear tailgate not opening

Originally Posted by CdnX-fireOwner
As far as I know all locks are pnuematic....not only the rear hatch...correct me if I am wrong

True......the doors and rear hatch are pneumatic.
 
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2008 | 08:03 AM
  #11 (permalink)  
Towncrier's Avatar
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 263
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
Default Re: rear tailgate not opening

FYI - My friend who is a certified Dodge mechanic says that the pneumatic line that feeds the hatchback lock has one of the highest failure rates of any parts that he as seen on Crossfires.
 
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2008 | 04:02 PM
  #12 (permalink)  
patpur's Avatar
Senior Member/Moderator
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,698
Likes: 1
From: Brookeville, Maryland
Default Re: rear tailgate not opening

Towncrier - true to the point the dealer I took mine to had a "fix it" kit from Chrysler so I'm sure they know about the problem. By the way your gas filler door is also on the system. From what I hear its not hard to fix, just hard to get to in some places. My rear hatch broke in the unlocked position so I couldn't lock it. Fortunately its garage kept and sits where I can keep an eye on it at work.
Pat
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
PNA
All Crossfires
14
Nov 12, 2020 04:44 PM
xfireohio
Cars For Sale - Archive
10
Jul 20, 2020 12:03 AM
amx1397
Troubleshooting & Technical Questions & Modifications
11
Jan 24, 2016 02:12 PM
spoiler
Crossfire Coupe
25
Sep 2, 2015 08:56 PM
waldig
All Crossfires
9
Sep 2, 2015 11:02 AM

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:03 PM.