Tailgate won't open. Latch handle lifts but gate doesn't unlatch

will glass pop open with remote or key ,whe nyou turn handle if so you may need to remove tailgate trim panel to acess handle assy so you can open it by moving lock rods inside tailgate panel

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.

lower tail gate then remove tailgate access cover either handle broken or look inside tail gate for latch rods that the handle moves latch rod either damaged or look for loose or missing latch rods nuts.

May have to cut a hole in panel. Been there. Put a big sticker over the hole afterward.

Two things happen. One the latch is already latched and therefore it's closed before the gate shut, When you try to close it you might notice that the door don't close all the way. This doe'snt have to be thwe case. the other thing that happens if the lock mechanism is working, You here it click? The latch is stuck as the opener is stuck. You might get lucky and spray the latch with Blaster or other rust buster type penatrant. Theres angles though the opening of the latch . Spray on several angles and repleatly close the door trying to vibrate the Penatrant into the stuck area. Looking at the latch use a screw driver to move the latch and see if you can cycle it though it's positions to see if you can latch and unlatch it with the tool and reopen by pullung the handle ( you may need to try ther inside handle too and even the remote openner if you have one. Ussaaaly you need to push the button twice to open the rear hatch so it may take a few trys and spraying to get it to come loose.. Some vehicals stay closed a long time and stuck is the way to think.. But if the door is used often the linkage inside the door mayh have come off the the latch is closed and the linkage doesn't open the laTCH AND THE THING MANAGED TO GET CLOSED WITHT THE DOOR OPEN.

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.

sometimes pushing in on the gate will release pressure on the latch enough to pop it, but the real problem is the linkage to the latch. it's probably stretched or bent from force. once you get it opened, take off the panel and manually latch and trigger latch it. see how the linkage acts and take out any slack w/pliers etc.

Hello jhall 538...this is a common problem on the blazer. If you can hear the rod actuator working, then the actuator rod to latch rod connector has broken. It's plastic, and a poor GM design.
To get the rear hatch open you will need to manualy release it. It can be done by working as much of the plastic tailgate trim you can get loose, from around the top center of the gate, where the latch is. remove the 2 screws that hold the handle on and remove handle. Then pry as much as you need to access the c type latch, and release it by moving it... it's spring loaded and will only move one way. Haveing someone help you lift the hatch while you unlatch it from inside the vehicle helps. After you get the hatch up and the tailgate folded down, make sure the latch is locked in the open position.
The actuator can be repaired, i've done it several times. GM will try and sell you a complete new acutator, which is rather costly compared to the $8.00 piece of plastic you need. This is what it looks like...The little blue plastic piece on the end of the actuator is what you need.
Good luck and i hope this helps.

latches for this are on the sides. The are connected by the handle in the middle of the gate. Latches are either stuck open (dry or frozen open) or stuck closed and you are banging on them when trying to close and "latch" gate. Get a screwdriver and while pulling up on tailgate handle make sure latches(on gate) are open to engage "striker bolt". If they are spray them liberally with WD40 or silicone SPRAY. latch and open several times to let lubricant attack rusted area on mechanism.

If latches won't open they may be stuck closed and won't open because cable going from middle handle to that side or both sides is disconnected. Does tailgate have star shaped bolts on "inside-bed-when-closed" side? If so you will need to spray these with WD40 and let set then get a star torques bit and remove them to access middle handle actuator.