Pop and Lock Tailgate lock stopped working after 1 year

After a year of perfect usage, my Pop and Lock Tailgate lock stopped working - partially due to dust. Lubrication helps but I think the design could be more foolproof. Talking with P&L now. Here's a video showing the mechanism not unlocking:

http://on-sight.com/video/PopAndLockNotLocking.mov

Anyone else seen this?

 

I've only had mine in for a month. Hope you get it resolved. At least the swap will be super easy. Hope they come through for you.

 

Just to be clear, *their* (P&L's) mechanism is actuating just fine but it isn't able to unlock the sticky Toyota lock due, IMO, to a bad design which this video demonstrates nicely. Watch it if you haven't already. We have Offroad trucks that are going to get dirty and we need the locks to work. PNL's tiny numbs aren't cutting it. A longer nub or arm would have continued to work IMO.

 

I see. Firewalled at my work, so couldn't see it.

 

Have you cleaned up and lubed the Toyota lock mechanism? A longer actuator movement would also probably do it.

 

Mine stopped actuating far enough to completely in-gauge the lock so I added a ti-strap in order to increase the throw. Don't know if this will make much sense.

 

Was considering this wen searching tops and the seller wouldn't recommend said they last anywhere from 8 months to a couple years depending on use.(actuator)
Snugtop will replace once then your sol if it happens again dont know bout other top manufactures warranty. It's a weaker actuator than the one that pops the door locks.
At least that's wut I was told from top dealer.

 

Had an identical issue with my one-year-old pop n lock just a few days ago. Got in there with some Q-tips and cleaned out the springs and other components, and added a bunch of grease to everything. Works fine now.

 

Good idea Russell! Would love to see what you rigged up. Darn, I'd like this to be bulletproof, and last 20 years...

 

Sounds like really poor quality..??

Is it a bad design.??

 

Agree. Exactly what I was gonna say .

 

The actuator is great but the design of the "nubs" that connect with the factory lock is problematic. With a slight change it could be perfect.

 

Ditto. Sprayed the spring thingy of the PNL (top of OP's photo) with lithium grease. Works like new.

 

Exactly, that's why I had to use a ti-strap, if I knew how to weld I would have made those up and down tabs bigger to close the gap and the actuator would not have to move up and down so far to engage the lock.

 

Smart. I actually sent your illustration to them as it relates to a possible fix.

 

Any update on this? Mine failed after almost 2 years of everyday use so I guess mine lasted longer than some of yours. No amount of grease helped. Everything seems to be a lot looser than when it was installed. Lots of play seems to bind the actuator arm with the lock mechanism and preventing the lock to turn. Not the best design for sure.

 

Forget the pop and lock. Now you can order the OEM remote lock from Toyota. Cost a little more but it's designed for Tacoma and it works great. Plug and play installation with all the necessary wires provided. Plugs into your harness on the passenger side. Well worth the money.

 

Lol