Tailgate closing issue

hello all

Having a few issues with my tailgate

Tailgate opens fine, window drops etc

When I close tailgate , window rises but the latch doesn't engage .

It can take several attempts before if finally catches

Tried lubricating and seemed to make a little better but not right.

Don't like opening it at the moment in case it won't close at all

Any ideas.......

Thanks

Chris

try a bit more oil the latch is where they are prone to rust.

Thanks teddy wood

Been lubing it all day on and off .... No improvement

Wondering if it's likely to be solenoid or maybe the 2 little springs..... Handle does seem quite loose / free

When I close tailgate , window rises but the latch doesn't engage .

It can take several attempts before if finally catches

Tried lubricating and seemed to make a little better but not right.

Click to expand...

mine did that ..

i tried oil lube .. but no improvement
had to bang the tailgate shut on occasion to get it to latch ..
( sometimes re-triggering the handle made it work ok .. )

figured maybe oil lube was making it worse .. attracting grime
and making it stick ..

changed the lock mechanism ( fairly easy job )
and cleaned and 'contalube'd the electrical connections ..
and now easy to shut tailgate gently ..

to keep it grime free ..
when vacuuming the interior .. i run it over the latch point as well
and for lube .. am using a dry silicone spray type .. sparingly ..
( sais on can it repels dirt as well )

so far so good .. just a gentle nudge gets it to latch

~~~~~~~~

don't know if it true regarding the latch ..
but some oils and plastics don't mix
as the oil can make the plastic swell up .. causing mechanisms to stick ..

~~~~~~~~

or maybe the 2 little springs

Click to expand...

could be those ..
i usually spray them with some wd40 after washing the car ..
or .. at least spray up into the trigger handle bit ..
hopefully to prevent those springs from rusting

Tie a tired solenoid,, squeeze handle two or three times before closing will prove this

Hi
Mine had a problem with the tailgate it wouldn't close then it decided that it would open on its own even when going up the road ,turned out to be a wire on the key side of the handle I think it was the blue one ,hope this helps .
Regards Trev .

Thanks for the replays ..... If the rain stops, I'll take the handle off and give it all a good clean .... See if there is anything obvious