Hi...I have posted on the intro forum! I have a great survivor 1966 Pontiac Catalina Wagon. She's ready to roll, but I have a 'sticky' problem (minor as it may be). Other than this...everything works on this impeccably maintained car. Up until yesterday, the lift gate worked perfectly. Power rear window goes up/down without a problem. Problem is, with the window all the way down, the release lever (located inside the lift door, on top) is locked up, I can;t open the door. It acts like there is a "child lock" somewhere (don't see one anywhere BTW). I would guess that a "release" mechanism broke, came loose or something... Ideas? If I could get the back/inside panel off and somehow get the lift-gate door open, I could see inside the door and likely see the problem. Fix? Ideas on how to get the door open so I can repair? Thanks here is a pic from the back of this great car.
Had a problem with a 67 Malibu wagon, with the back window broken out. Tailgate thought the window was still up, so wouldn't release. We removed all the screws from the inside panel and could get to the mechanism. rolled the window down with jumpers and then cleaned it all out and replaced the window. You'll need to do something similar, I suspect, as you do, that something like a rod is off. Remove the panel and see what you have to work with.......good luck.
Thanks for the reply...but the problem is...I got the main cosmetic panel off. Access panels (2) underneath to get into the door itself. I can't get the access panels off. 4 screws hold each one. 2 top screws are off. 2 bottom screws are protected by a spring loaded panel that swings down to cover the gap between the tailgate and the back of the car. I can;t get to the bottom 2 screws. If anyone knows...I can see and feel a cable running to each side of the door. Can I pull these two cables simultaneously and open up the latches and open the tailgate?
Can you get to those cables with the window in the down position? I would be afraid of breaking the glass if trying to open the tailgate with the window up. Incidentally, does the tailgate release lever assembly on the inside of the tailgate come apart?
