Tailgate latch won't lock

Of course this happens while I'm loading up for a trip.

My tailgate latch will unlock but won't lock. I can only lock it by flipping the mechanism with my finger. It won't lock with the key at all. It will unlock with the key no problem.

It was working fine last week, the last time I used the lock...

Here's a vid to show what I mean. Any ideas?

 

Mine got sticky a year ago, I was afraid the key would bend from how hard it got to turn. I sprayed some graphite in the key hole and on the moving parts, it got smoother.

 

Yep. I've had to use graphite a time or two.

 

I'll give graphite a try. It's not just stiff. It won't move to unlock at all. It feels fine when unlocking.

 

Mine was the same way. I just had to use it in my driver side door lock. Wouldn't budge at all.

 

Heading out to snag some graphite lube right now.

 

Didn't work. Still jammed. It will rotate counter-clockwise no problem. Won't rotate clockwise at all.

 

Use Tannerite...

 

Don't have that. How about thermite?

 

@Grumpy Uncle "might" have access to something better.................

 

Did you try another key? Had the same thing on my Tacoma door lock, turned out the key was getting worn. A new key cut from the same master worked great.

 

I seem to recall you mentioning that! Definitely a possibility.

 

Actually now that I think about it, my chip key for the Tundra is the same in the door, the odd time I do use the key instead of the fob. Yet the plain copy I keep in my wallet locks and unlocks it perfectly. It was copied from the worn key as well. Must be something to do with the rounding edges.

 

Yep, that worked!! I have no idea why I didn't think about trying another key. Thank you!

 

Yeah our ignition keys and the ignition cylinders wear at the same rates from talking to each other daily. That rear latch cylinder doesn’t get used much and your worn key (rounded) wouldn’t activate the cams.

Landphil for the win!

 

That makes sense. My back up key works in the ignition too. Might just swap it for the other one and keep only one on the keychain

 

Make new keys from the (newer) good key just so you’ll have those match up for the future, as well.

Make sure you test all of them everywhere before leaving the key makers shop. They may have to fine tune like when I had new ones made for the 02’.