Tail Gate Locking
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Tail Gate Locking
Does anyone know why my tail gate arbitrarily locks by itself? I would open the gate, load something in, drive 10 minutes and go to open the gate but it is locked. Other times it stays unlocked. I see nothing about it in the owners manual. Let me know......
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From: Hurricane Alley
The tailgate does not lock itself under normal conditions. In fact, it is not supposed to lock itself. I would suggest you take it apart and see if something is binding on the lock or if it is not totally unlocking. You may need to lube it but it is not supposed to do that.
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No, it really locks. When it is unlocked, you can immediately feel tension in the lever. When it IS locked there is no tension and just a light spring load, pulling it all the way out. Strange.... huh?
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Originally Posted by s9bryant
Does anyone know why my tail gate arbitrarily locks by itself? I would open the gate, load something in, drive 10 minutes and go to open the gate but it is locked. Other times it stays unlocked. I see nothing about it in the owners manual. Let me know......
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Wheatland, Mo
Mine has done that only once...but then again, I usually jus toss my stuff into the back without opening the tailgate.
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Mine 97 sticks, so I am very careful about who closes the tailgate, because when it sticks, I have to get inthe bed and jerk up on the handle and its a pain.
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From: South Texas
It's been mentioned here before. It's not supposed to lock automaticly, but it can happen due to vibrations/bumps as already mentioned. You can take the access panel off and tighten up any loose rods.
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: New York
We have the same problem with the one work truck a 350 200_ (IDK) I think it has somthing to do with the amount of abuse put on the tailgate, or how the tailgate is closed. Try closing it with both hands evenly, cuz that was the only way to keep the 350 from locking up.
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Joined: Aug 2002
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From: BC, Canada
Ford had a TSB or Special Service message out on that problem but I can't find it tonight.
It's been a long time since I've worked on that problem.
If I remember right you just pull the linkage and handle apart and put it back together again paying special attention to where the lock lever is on the latch handle. I think it can go on under the tab for it or above it. I don't remember which way it's supposed to go.
I've also heard of people putting a small spring on the lever to keep it from locking so easily.
The cover comes off the inside of the tailgate by removing the Torx head screws. Once that's off you can access the linkage etc.
It's been a long time since I've worked on that problem.
If I remember right you just pull the linkage and handle apart and put it back together again paying special attention to where the lock lever is on the latch handle. I think it can go on under the tab for it or above it. I don't remember which way it's supposed to go.
I've also heard of people putting a small spring on the lever to keep it from locking so easily.
The cover comes off the inside of the tailgate by removing the Torx head screws. Once that's off you can access the linkage etc.
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Thanks for everyone's input. I will just use the key for now, but I thought there was some intelligence to it, like how the doors lock by themselves when you drive off. I tested that theory and like I said, it's intermittent. It does sound like maybe it's locking when I hit a good bump or something. I don't think it's vibration becuase I only drove 2 blocks at 25 mph when I looked at this problem. Thanks again......
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From: Hurricane Alley
Ya know, I was looking last night for a fix for this and I found an aftermarket kit that you can install in the tailgate that hooks up to the power locks so you can have your tailgate lock and unlock with the door locks. I think I might just try it out. Wouldn't it be nice to just hit the switch on the door to unlock the tailgate!!!