[JadedKilly]

The glass on my back tailgate if my 2011 T&C blew out during a windstorm. The company that replaced the glass didn't bother to clean out the broken shards that fell behind the tailgate panel and now the latch is jammed. How do I remove the panel to remove the broken glass and fix the latch?

 

[2016T&C LP]

The glass on my back tailgate if my 2011 T&C blew out during a windstorm. The company that replaced the glass didn't bother to clean out the broken shards that fell behind the tailgate panel and now the latch is jammed. How do I remove the panel to remove the broken glass and fix the latch?

First, I would give the outside handle a strong (very strong) tug to try and dislodge any glass that was preventing the latch from opening. If it is just the glass you should not have any broken pieces of the latch, just a jam. I am not sure how you would go about removing the plastic panel if the tailgate was closed, from inside the van? I would push the tailgate closed, pull it open, all while pulling the latch as hard as I could without breaking it. Once you get the panel off, it should just be a matter of removing all the broken glass, cleaning the latch.

 

[J Wikoff]

If you need to try manually popping the latch:

Manual rear hatch release?

I took a moment to look at the "manual release" of the rear hatch. My observations: One needs to poke a tool into the bottom middle of the panel which is right in the middle below the light. You'll need something with a sharp angle/hook in the end to pull at the panel once inserted if the...

www.chryslerminivan.net

I don't really know what you pull on to pop it, but this is what you'll be looking at when you remove the access cover down by the latch on the inside.

 

[ggoose]

If you suspect the glass shards are jamming the latch, take it back to the company that replaced the glass and have them deal with the problem. My opinion only.

 

[carlrice]

 

[2016T&C LP]

Did you get the tailgate open?