Toyota tundra tailgate won't open

you may want to make sure the rear glass is closed good if not it will cause the rear lift gate not work properly. there is also a button to the left of the glove box once you open the glove door if it is pressed in the gate will work if it is sticking out the gate will not work.

check for bad hinges or failed /bent gas struts

the insides rust away,take off the inside panel and squeeze both sides together and get a new handle

key is worn,lock is worn,put graphite in lock

Does handle feel connected to anything? Spray wd-40 into latch area. Push in while moving handle then pull.

Open the access hatch on the front (inside) of the tailgate. You'll find linkage there - work the handle, watch the linkage. Try to tug the linkage through the hatch opening - you may be able to unlatch the tailgate that way. You may also find that one linkage rod is disconnected - you'll see how to reconnect it. You should also see how to make any adjustments that need to be made.

usually universal for either side, but wil lusually fit into the tail gate only one way and line up with the mounting holes correctly

The tailgate on my 2008 Chevy Uplander refused to open. The unlock fuse was fine. The handle pull worked fine. I could even hear the little motor that unlocks the tailgate whirr when I pushed the unlock button. But the gate would not release. Turns out the problem was the lock mechanism was jammed because it had dirt in it and not enough grease. From the inside, I pulled the lift gate panel out at the window so I could look down and see the lock mechanism at the bottom of the lift gate. I reached down and prodded it with my screwdriver until I noticed that parts of the mechanism weren't sliding back and forth like they should. I sprayed it with a silicone lubricant until the parts started working again. Finally, the lock unlatched and I could open the rear hatch. I could then remove the entire plastic panel and remove the lock mechanism. I found that the mechanism has lots of rubber and plastic parts which get chewed up and start to jam if not properly lubricated. I cleaned out the dirt with my silicone spray and thoroughly lubricated all the moving parts. The latch now lets go of the post very easily, and the lift gate no longer gets stuck.

I know this sounds silly, but is the latch locked? If I lock mine, the latch will lift but the gate won't open.