Tailgate Latch Broke and Tonneau Cover is closed

Can't blame Toyota wasn't an issue with the truck.
I was able to get the tailgate open by prying the top plastic plate up and using the little holes in top.
As it turns out my actuator had left the lock halfway between locked and unlocked and the handle wasn't hitting and the key couldn't turn it because of the weird angle it was at.
I was able to fish some wire down and pull it up to locked and then the key could move the lock again.
I took the actuator out for the time being and I'll replace it with a Pop N Lock when I have some money to spare for it.

Thanks for the help and ideas!

 

Tw to the rescue.

 

Why do you need/want a pop-n-lock if you already have a lockable tailgate??

 

Because I'm lazy and having to take out a key to unlock my tail gate is unacceptable amounts of energy waste.

I think you may have the second gen Pop N Lock in mind. This is the one for the third gens.

$173 POP & Lock – Power Tailgate Lock for Toyota Tundra, 2007 to 2021 Toyota Tundra, Truck OEM Lock, Anti Theft, Truck Tailgate Lock Replacement, Easy to Install, Made in The USA (PL8547TUN)

https://www.amazon.com/Pop-Lock-PL8535-Tailgate-Toyota/dp/B00LST3022/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/pop-and-lock-for-2016-tacoma.406188/

 

I think the whole "if the mod is the cause of the issue warranties are void" would absolutely apply to his situation unfortunately being a home made thing and whatnot.

 

Glad you got it open.

 

So I had the same problem today......tailgate latch not working, tailgate locked and factory tonneau locked down. I got the tailgate open by prying up the plastic “top cap” on the tailgate, fishing a coat hanger down holes in the top of the tailgate on both sides and pulling up on the rods that pull the plungers (don’t know what else to call them) that hold the tailgate shut. I pulled the rods out of the little plastic guides by doing so but they popped right back in.

Turns out that my issue was the off-brand pop-n-lock I had installed. The actuator was pushing the mechanism too far when I locked it. Strange that it took a couple of months for this to happen. O removed it and everything is working as it should.

Lesson learned. I like the mod, and the hardest part (the wiring) is done so I’ll just spring for the real deal next time.

Hope this helps someone.

 

I had the same thing happen to me, used a clothes hanger to unlatch my roll up lid. It seemed like the pop and lock was engaging, just not all the way. Sprayed it with the good o wd40 and hasnt stuck since. I'm paranoid now, so I leave the clothes hanger in the car.