Toyota Sequoia Trunk Wont Open (Ultimate How-To)

[@barthglennh]

After replacing the handle multiple times on my 03 Sequoia, each time the handle worked for a while, however the lever pull still required a lot of pressure to unlock. I never thought to replace the cable and latch. When I bought a new cable and latch from the dealer, it was a game changer. I can now open it with one finger. So replace the cable and latch and this issue will go away. I also use a free paint can opener with the small bent end to hook under the back of the large cover panel around the lower edges. Once I pop these out by pulling toward me, i do the sides, I can then slide the panel up to lift this away to expose the metal cover.

[@stevebarnette]

Thanks for this. I’m fixing mine for the 2nd time.

[@okeysylvester9355]

How much was it?

[@jessluvsya38]

That would have been nice to know 15mins ago before I broke my second handle five minutes after installing it 😭

[@KevsHowToDIY]

I’m now having this issue I will be replacing the cable also.

[@barthglennh]

@@KevsHowToDIY and Latch as the latch may be gummed up. Ask for a discount on the parts in a very polite way and you will likely save money! The way I did it was I went to the dealer, asked about the parts, told them about my prior attempts to fix the handle… then asked about a new handle, cable and latch, and discreetly asked for a “friends and family” discount and winked my eye. The guy laughed and then took money off each part.

[@wanderingearthmagnet]

Excellent!!! I checked out a few other videos and none of them had the crucial step that you included moving the window assembly. That made the job SO much easier!!!! THANK YOU!

[@LetsDriftMedia]

Awesome ! Glad I could help!

[@justinmott6987]

@@LetsDriftMedia So my hatch i think is seized. I have manually gotten back here and moved the unlock switch by hand and it is still stuck. Any recommendations ?

[@eliasgutierrez8487]

​@@justinmott6987same here. even if I pulled cable, the bottom end snaps from the plastic holder that supposed to keep the cable exterior in place. I can't open trunk

[@phillipsantschi5645]

OMG!! I am only replacing this handle for the 4th time. This time, THANKS to you, I get to do it and save 487.01. Found the handle on Amazon for 12.99. The second time it broke I searched and searched for instructions to fix it myself and didn’t find anything. Thank you so much!!

[@LetsDriftMedia]

Glad I could help!

[@4200timeB]

Mine just broke yesterday..good solid how-to thanks man.

[@devorejm]

This video was super helpful. Replaced broken 06 handle with metal handle in about an hour. Thank you!

[@acleverroos]

So, probably not the most long-term solution. But, my cable seemed to have slack in it (probably from the handle innards bending over time with use). I pulled the cable taut, then tightened a zip tie around it right next to the ball, then put the ball back into the hook thing that holds it in place with the zip tie acting as a spacer between the ball and the hook. That gave me enough tension to be able to keep using the existing handle.

[@tristans694]

I like it

[@kurtkennedy5370]

I always use a radiator pick and just pop the latch from the outside. hasn't let me down in 15 years!

[@toyotoolmastertech]

Don't teach him secrets.. 🤣 jk. .. ..

[@LetsDriftMedia]

I had no idea 😅

[@ricardoalamo8704]

Yeah I do the same hose pick trick

[@stevewilliams165]

Can you explain a little more please

[@janicesummerlin5365]

How do you do this

[@MarvinBullock]

If sitting in the rear is uncomfortable, you can roll down the rear window and remove the trim pieces from the outside. When the large interior panel is removed, the rear window has about a 1/4" play. If you look between the glass and the rear hatch, you can see the lever that the handle operates. A thin, 10" flathead screwdriver can push the lever, unlocking the rear hatch. All of the other steps are much easier with the hatch open.

[@rich1879]

I've had my 2005 Sequoia since new. I'm getting ready to go in mine for the third time, The first time was the handle just like yours , I put a plastic one in that didn't last long. The second time I put a metal one in, this time I think it's the cable that stretched, I sure am getting tired of this, as this old body (71) has a hard time getting in the back of that thing. But I'll get her done, I'm too frugal to pay a mechanic that's for sure. Thanks for the refresher course, you know the memory thing, smile.

[@Nacturnal702]

i did the off road bypasss,little handle , potrudes out and it works wonderful, after 2 rear hatch handles in over 2 1/2 years of ownership, i did the switch.

[@wal]

I've had my 2001 Sequoia since 2003 and this latch has broken 3 times. The last time I found a metal latch handle which has worked for me the past 5 plus years. The plastic versions seem to break during cold temps and at the worst possible time.

[@UncleMoishe]

Your video is EXCELLENT. thank you.

[@itishappening]

Thanks for the video. 😎 I’m getting the metal patch to replace this plastic one.

[@daowause]

Thanks for the idea of pushing the cable. Pro mechanic for thirty + years and still need advice sometimes.

[@GdaValueMan]

Nice thanks for your time and effort showing us this G. Be safe out there

[@charlescusumano2704]

Ok I just did this and I didn’t have the cool tool to push open the cable so I used a large meat fork and it worked perfectly ! Of course I ordered the part after so I have to wait another day to deal with the new handle

[@AnOutgoingIntrovert]

Thanks for this. Dealer quoted $579+-. This costs $25-50 for parts.

[@thomasbrogan9102]

1:56 I love that guy 😊

[@t.k5928]

In my experience the reason why these plastic levers break is because the grease that is used to lubricate all the moving parts of the latch and handle need to be cleaned and re-greased. Definitely doesn’t help when they make the levers out of plastic. But if maintenance is kept up with all the latches around the vehicles doors how to put less strain on these plastic parts. Another problem is around the latch manufactures put plastic sleeves. These sleeves break apart and jam the latch up from moving freely. I’m assuming to keep grease in contact with latch. My thought anyway. Otherwise I have no idea why they put those on there.

[@LetsDriftMedia]

Yea it’s almost a 20 year old car now anyways though things are going to break.

[@t.k5928]

@@LetsDriftMediaYes I realize the wear and tear on the handle do to age. But my thought is that the new handle will not last long if there is excessive amount of tension before the latch can be fully operated. In my case excessive tension was caused by the sleeve on the arm of the latch at the bottom of the door. It’s split apart and kept the latch from being easily engaged and retracted when the handle was pulled. Which eventually broke plastic lever of the handle. Option one was just to replace the latch. We chose option two to be cheaper so I methodically cut out pieces of that sleeve(which took a long time😂). Eventually it freed it up. My first thought was to burn it out but I didn’t know if there was a bunch of other plastic parts in that latch. So I went with option 2. I wish they wouldn’t rivet these parts together and use screws. Would have been a lot easier

[@LetsDriftMedia]

@@t.k5928 dam nightmare. And yea you would think Toyota would make a stronger re designed not plastic handle. But maybe it’s there way of selling more parts

[@captainamericaamerica8090]

@@LetsDriftMedia Has this been corrected in 2008 and up models??

[@KevinMartinez-nh7qx]

Thanks man i just bought a sequoia with lots of window regulator issues and latches 😅

[@etiwatkotechompoo2443]

The latch and cable works fine but it I can’t get the back truck to open. Maybe it stuck in the locked position. How do I get it to open and change the locking mechanism?

[@444455555shock]

You would have to push the cable, you might be screwed getting to it tho

[@K24_Rkn]

I know this is a shot in the dark but I was wondering if you were able to tell me the thread pitch of nuts that hold the back door / trunk window motor regulator. Previous owners I guess replaced the motor but never put back the nuts. I’ve looked on oem part websites and I can’t find them for the life of me. Everytime I would shut the back door and the window was cracked the whole thing would fall down and broke the latch.

[@JeremyHagenJ]

That was a well put together vid bro.

[@kintero85]

Bro thanks for the video that’s very helpful ❤

[@michael.driftzg]

love to see a video from a toyota tech!!

[@acsumen1]

great job. keep up the good work

[@robert8323]

Great video. Thank you

[@rokev8341]

Thanks for your video help me alot.

[@masonstruckadventure9368]

Man, made that look way easy! Gotta do the same to my new 01

[@auxmike718]

He seems way more at peace and confident back at Toyota. I would too! Much simpler vehicles…

[@FrancyFam7]

Replaced the handle recently but now I'm having the reverse problem. The lift gate closes but does not lock. All the other doors lock but not the lift gate.

[@TheFishingEducator]

Mine does the same thing....I replaced the handle and cable and when I hook everything back up, including the electric connectors, the gate does not lock. All 4 doors lock, but not the gate...is there a way to reset this? @LetsDriftMedia

[@ProHumanRadio]

What if the cable wont open the latch and striker. The handle broke and when i pill the ball the lt h will not open anymore and the door is stuck shut

[@eliasgutierrez8487]

same problem here

[@jonathandelgado3739]

Can this be done at any mechanic shop. My truck is giving me a headache 😮‍💨 the latch does pull. My glass shattered so I don’t know if any of the glass is stuck in the latch mechanism

[@evelyntuey6407]

This was alot help thank you

[@jonathandelgado3739]

does toyota fix the tailgate window tracks. My window shattered and it broke one of the track guides

[@isaidgoodday1885]

Thank you, this helped me open the tailgate today 06/11/2022

[@LetsDriftMedia]

Awesome!

[@7inentertainment509]

I can move the lever with a flathead but the door still isn't opening. Feel like I'm screwed. I need to be able to open the door so that I can replace the tail light to pass an inspection.

[@jamestravis9708]

Keep it up bro.... Perfect

[@ojomnesir9182]

Any suggestions if the cable itself doesn't open the hatch?

[@lengvang4555]

I need some help here , I’m replace the handle and the latch, and now my trunk won’t lock any tips ?

[@eligarcia5433]

Can you do a ‘07 Toyota Sienna? The cable on the rear passenger door that makes the door slide is broken and I don’t know how to get to it.

[@alexh.4254]

Gonna have to go from the inside.. I had a problem just like this: 07 Sienna, passenger rear sliding door outside handle ripped off and inner handle cables slipped off. (What a nightmare.) Car was +10 years old so customer didn’t care if I was able to pull the inner panel off and replaced the door lock actuator (would not retract after pulling). The cables were re-usable so I just popped them onto the new lock actuator. Hope this helped! (If you want the door to slide open and lock when fully opened, there’s a cable running down to the bottom.)

[@LetsDriftMedia]

If I run into one I will try

[@TheFishingEducator]

Great video! Replaced the handle recently but now I'm having the reverse problem. The lift gate closes but does not lock. All the other doors lock but not the lift gate. I replaced the handle and cable and when I hook everything back up, including the electric connectors, the gate does not lock. All 4 doors lock, but not the gate...is there a way to reset this?

[@wanderingearthmagnet]

No. It sounds like the lock actuator is bad or one of the connectors came loose. It is connected to the latch and not too difficult to swap out if you have mastered the door handle. Best bet is buy assembly with latch and actuator.

[@josiahsims6228]

Have you ever worked on the new supras at Toyota? I was wondering if it’s hard to work on those since it’s kind of a BMW/Toyota type of car or is it actually easy to work on those? -Thanx

[@LetsDriftMedia]

its a BMW completely. no toyota parts or systems at all with that vehicle. but no only saw them come in for oil changes when I was at Toyota.

[@BOMBON187]

Average how much does a job like this cost?

[@Beyankaface]

I tried this and the cable was so worn that it physically broke off in the actuator. Is there another way to get the trunk open?

[@danschaffer804]

great video

[@syreeka7418]

What is the the latch at the bottle that won’t open

[@captainamericaamerica8090]

Did they correct this?? In the later years??

[@sheliateel9449]

I just replaced mine a couple of months ago and now it won’t open. I can pull back on the latch. It’s not loose, but it just won’t come all the way forward.😞

[@LetsDriftMedia]

Try pressing the rear trunk/hatch at the bottom against the vehicle and pulling the latch, if the latch feels connected still sounds like the cable is binding or something.

[@rudygp4l435]

When I pull on the ball the door still doesn't open is there another way to get it open I feel like it's permanently locked

[@Dpiak682]

Hey bro, I have a toyota yaris, 1kr engine. I've replaced the belts on it, and it is still squeaking. Any recommendations?? Much appreciated.....love your videos by the way.

[@LetsDriftMedia]

You sure the belt tension is tight enough?

[@Dpiak682]

@@LetsDriftMedia yep. It feels like I had over tightened it, but I slacked it a lil bit.

[@PenRippyJr]

good. great. grand. WONDERFUL.

[@natesantana7783]

USE A 90 DEGREE PICK FROM THE HOLE WHERE THE OUTSIDE HANDLE IS. I DID ONE OF THESE IN THE SUMMER FROM THR INSIDE AND I SAID NEVER AGAIN LMAO.

[@LetsDriftMedia]

Yea I’m just discovering that you can do that lol

[@joshakaoger69]

17 Corolla .. what would i torque down the strut tower bolts to🤷 have a front strut bar i need to instal thanks 🤓 👍

[@guillermohernandez8305]

Mine is not completely open nor locked and pullin on that cable is still not opening the hatch, help!

[@joes4292]

Same, did you find a solution?!

[@guillermohernandez8305]

@@joes4292 had to replace it completely, straight forward not too bad to do

[@youngboyce1800]

Where can I get a latch for a ae100 l turning

[@Jupitar1992]

What tool size is used to remove the bolts?

[@LetsDriftMedia]

Been awhile but should be all 10mm nuts possibly some 12mm

[@israelvalencia6884]

Do you know of a common problem with a 1st Gen Sequoia, the rear is collecting water and getting the carpet wet, i dont know what to do ive tried fixing but dont know what else to do.

[@bourne8744]

Where in the rear are you collecting water?

[@israelvalencia6884]

@@bourne8744 the entire back of the sequoia , I took out the carpet because it started to mold .

[@bourne8744]

Was it the drain line that caused it if it has a sunroof there four drain lines two the run to the back and two that run down the pillars in the front. From the sun roof there a video if you look up drain line clean sequoia it pop up.

[@salvadorfelix2844]

i have a 2001 & dont have that problem, @@israelvalencia6884

[@richardpeters2085]

How do you open it if pulling cable don't work

[@LetsDriftMedia]

Remove the plastic panel from the inside like I did in the video to gain access to the latch and move it manually, or some people have commented saying you can stick an angled pick in from the outside where the plastic handle is to unlatch it if the handle is broken off.

[@MrTonyman4575]

Even pulling the cord manually is stiff

[@fedx442]

A big help

[@-TerryBogard]

Mine wont close, the button seems to be making noise like the motor is ok, window goes down and up but the hatch will not close. So im having trouble finding this issue and DIY solution.

[@LetsDriftMedia]

sounds like the latch itself is not locking shut once you close the lift gate.

[@-TerryBogard]

@@LetsDriftMedia I use a screw driver and it moves the mechanism but it won't lock and stay. It just releases when you pull on it. I'd rather it was stuck shut then open freely like this. Not sure what would cause this.

[@ghanamafia7199]

I wonder how much the dealership charged for this?....smells like $800 🤣....

[@Flintlock85]

That man at the 2:00 minute mark made obscene gestures and said the "F-word"!

[@LetsDriftMedia]

yep

[@anotherwhosoever777]

Thank you.

[@jooje100]

Where are you located?

[@pomaicarpenter4315]

You forgot the most important part, to say “like a glove” after you install it

[@jaquelinevilla1876]

What is the name of the tool you use 2:59

[@LetsDriftMedia]

Panel popper/remover

[@natevanlandingham1945]

Ahh the old broken latch on the First Gen Sequoia. Only buy Toyota handles. The others are junk. Also the cable will stretch making it not work as well. Been there done that a few times.

[@natevanlandingham1945]

Also helps to pop the latch with one hand and lift the truck door with the other.

[@natevanlandingham1945]

First time I made the mistake with the license plate lights too.

[@206deeznutz]

@@natevanlandingham1945 Yep, this is what I do when I open my rear door. It helps alot with taking the strain off the handle.

[@jadesadventure283]

Would have liked the video without the vulgar comments from the idiot friend. 😢

[@misterbegy4313]

Your location please.

[@aquamanrafael.r9020]

2:02 😂😂

[@Knightfall23]

So did you go to lunch with him on his last day

[@robertsolis7037]

On the last day ?!? What’s that mean ?

[@LetsDriftMedia]

Freddy is taking vacation days lol

[@pomaicarpenter4315]

And there you have it .5 flag hours

[@2zzlow]

you really need to be careful about showing customers license plates at work. Otherwise great video.

[@adamhandyside9836]

People worry about the stupidest shit. What do you think is going to happen? Someone is like "ooohh a silver Toyota, I should run their plate and see where they live to steal there rims"? Its the same when people are selling cars that block the plate, even though most likely they will sell the car from there residence

[@2zzlow]

@@adamhandyside9836 I know people worry about the stupidest shit, that's why I'm telling him to cover his ass in case his service manager or HR finds out a customers license plate was used in a video they didn't give permission to. IDK where you got the idea of wanting to steal oem "rims" (its wheels btw) but let your brain do the typing and not your rage.

[@18avshalom]

@@2zzlow it's not like someone is going to figure out the repair happened on December 16th and the car had almost 248K on it, or that the VIN starts with a 5 and ends with a 2.

[@2zzlow]

@@18avshalom you also miss the point

[@18avshalom]

@@2zzlow no, I get your point and totally agree with you. I think you missed my sarcasm. Those things I mentioned were true. Notice I didn't put the whole VIN on the internet.

[@moreTTinez]

I replace the latch once work a little then replace the cable was working fine until my battery died then it got locked l am sick tire Toyota sucks on this door handles brake easy

[@RideFixies00]

replace it with an electronic actuator and button system. thank me later

[@Mattb843]

Could you not have just actuated the latch with your scan tool to get it open? Just to make life easier removing the panel

[@LetsDriftMedia]

I don’t think so this trunk does not have an electronic trunk release. Only cable release

[@RideFixies00]

no matter how many times you replace the handle it will break again trust me. the way toyota designed this system is complete trash way too much tension on the cable

[@nathankoroush7918]

very true. I have replaced mine 2 times in the last 3 years. It always breaks at the most inconvenient times, both while camping on road trips.

[@captainamericaamerica8090]

Second generation and up, this was,corrected

[@devonswindell9735]

Not really an ultimate how to on the topic.

[@archierival6678]

LOL at “easy” repair. Actually no it’s a pain in the ass

[@TomTague-fk3xo]

$800 please

[@timking3541]

No

[@WrenchingWithMatt]

I work at Toyota as well this is a very common issue and Toyota has a great replacement for it ITS A METAL ONE 🫶🏻