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Throwing up a hail Mary before I head to the dealership for some help because I need to resolve this issue soon.
I own a 2014 GX 460 Premium and went to open my rear barn door, hatch, tailgate, (whatever its technical Lexus term is) and it will not open.
When I hit unlock, I can hear the upper glass door mechanism unlock but I am not hearing a specific "clunk" for the door lock. Does anyone have experience with the door being locked closed or the lock malfunctioning? It doesn't seem possible to remove the inner door panel because the door is locked closed and there is no interior release/opener. I can't even figure out how to open the door to begin diagnosing or repairing the lock if its really the issue.
Anyone seen this or have suggestions?!
Other info:
I'm having a trouble finding a schematic or diagram of the interior of this door but from what I've found on the GX 470 it doesn't seem like there is anything behind the license plate mounting area.... the reason I bring this up is that the only thing I did relatively recently was remove and re-add license plates with new bolts since mine were rusting. The new ones were maybe 1.5" long, but they didn't seem to hit anything or bottom out - the door seems to be an empty cavity in the middle under the license plate so I assumed I was not getting any lock cables or actuators that were behind the license plate mounting bracket. The timing just seems suspect but I doubt this caused the door lock problem.
You will have to try to take off the interior trim from the inside or you may have to cut a hole through the plastics in the rear door.
IIRC the area where the star is would allow you to actuate the mechanisms if you can pass your hand through this area. Be sure to look at all the links and pics throughout the thread. Unfortunately there isn't some easy release mechanism on inside.
Went home at lunch with this info determined to get the door opened since I have some large packages that need to be mailed out today. Took About 35 minutes from start to finish and half that was taking pictures, gathering tools and putting them back away.
Included pictures for those who need to complete this procedure in the future and have the door locked shut.
Remove Panel. Door with stuff. Remove Stuff. Not necessary: I taped off a square so I could get a decent cut line and if the saw bumped i wouldn't scratch other parts of the panel. Cut the access in the panel with the vibrating saw. Cut the plastic membrane on left, bottom, right with utility knife to access the lock assembly. If water ever does get in the door then most of it will will run off downward past the lock assembly instead of into it. Membrane cut, flap slightly pulled out. this is the door release - If I had a better idea of where the release was, I would have cut the access much smaller and higher under the lip with maybe a 1" hole saw... if you were wondering its about 1" down from the lip and 3" left of the strap I decided to make a quick release in case I have further issues. Maybe one day I will get around to greasing the assembly or replacing it all together if I have future occurrences. This is picture hanger wire. Drilled small hole in the release assembly and fed the wire through. Made a loop on the other end. Just pull that loop to the left lightly and the door will pop if this ever happens again. Buttoned back up with electrical tape. I'm thinking of replacing with some spring clips or Velcro in the near future for a more permanent solution. Any suggestions? Swapped the first aid kit from left to right to somewhat hide the hole.
Glad you found a way in there. Thanks for taking pics and doing a write up. You aren't the first to experience this and most likely not the last. I took mine apart a couple weeks back and thoroughly lubricated everything.
Great write up and pics. Good idea to have the release there for future issues. Mine would get stuck at the worst times- usually when my sons hockey equipment was back there. I found mine had issues whenever I worked near construction sites and the dirt would blow at the rear of the truck.
Great write up and pics. Good idea to have the release there for future issues. Mine would get stuck at the worst times- usually when my sons hockey equipment was back there. I found mine had issues whenever I worked near construction sites and the dirt would blow at the rear of the truck.
Did you grease yours or replace it? I’d like to see pictures where people are lubricating theirs.
I simply took some Liquid Wrench Silicon spray and got the mechanism you did and followed cable back to latch area and gave it a good drenching. I then actuated the handle some so some of the lubricant would be pulled into the shrouded cable between the handle and the latch. At least one scenario...I think this cable ends up getting sticky and then doesn't freely move back and forth on either end.
Thanks for sharing.
My rear cargo door hatch wouldn’t shut, but a hard push forced it shut and now it wont open.
Do you know were i can purchase an OEM repair manual for my 2012 GX460?
My handle started sticking today too. I thought it was the actuator or cable but turned out to just be a grimy handle mechanism. I could feel the drag in it while extracted from vehicle. As suggested in other threads I was able to retract the handle with some tools on the outside so I could get door open. I took door apart and this time throughly testing cable and actuator... no issue there. I then took the latch mechanism out. It is only held in by two 10mm nuts. I then doused with liquid wrench and then lightly greased the pivot points.
If you notice your latch seems to stick at all there is some preventative maintenance you can do or it might stick on you or significant other at the most inopportune time.
Remember those trims pieces around flip up window are removed inward/parallel to the window and the top middle piece comes off first.
Not totally on topic to this thread but didn't want to start a new one.... Any reason this wouldn't work for the GX for overnight camping or for keeping dogs in the back, even while driving? (would give them some fresh air... (although I worry about the exhaust coming in the rear, the 4Runner has this issue with the window down if the exhaust isn't rerouted to the side.
Not totally on topic to this thread but didn't want to start a new one.... Any reason this wouldn't work for the GX for overnight camping or for keeping dogs in the back, even while driving? (would give them some fresh air... (although I worry about the exhaust coming in the rear, the 4Runner has this issue with the window down if the exhaust isn't rerouted to the side.
GX tail window can be opened separately. It’s not roll down as 4Runner, just flip up. There is a lock release switch at left lower corner of the window.
02-11-19, 09:40 AM
Rear door/hatch will not open (locked shut)
