Power Tail Gate - Weak?

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PBGBodyFan

G-Body Guru
Mar 3, 2009
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I added the power tail gate option to my wagon, wired/hooked up just like the factory did using it from a donor 82' Malibu wagon. The solenoid clicks and most times will pop the glass open, but never the tail gate itself. Sometimes not enough oomph to get the glass. Is this common? I have 1-2 more wagon tailgate solenoids, I could test them out I suppose but thought I'd first see what others who have this option or added it have noticed. I'm ok living without the actual tail gate opening, the glass popping open is helpful enough especially since I added a RKE system from a late 90's Monte Carlo for the power locks and tail gate.
 

Ribbedroof

Comic Book Super Hero
Supporting Member
Jan 4, 2009
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Wellston, OK
It's a glass popper only
 
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Longroof79

Rocket Powered Basset Hound
Oct 14, 2008
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I have also added the tailgate solenoid. It only pops the glass hatch, and sometimes it takes a few clicks to unlatch it. I added a relay to help give it some oomph. It won't lift the glass per se.
 
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81cutlass

Comic Book Super Hero
Feb 16, 2009
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Western MN
Same on my century. It unlocks the glass after a few clicks but it i have to manually lift the window for it to open.
 
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PBGBodyFan

G-Body Guru
Mar 3, 2009
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Wisconsin
Thanks guys. For some reason I thought it might be strong enough to pop both, somehow, suppose that might not even be possible since it takes different directions to open each. I just wasn't sure if it was my own issue of it not working all of the time but it sounds fairly common. Better than nothing though I suppose.
 

Longroof79

Rocket Powered Basset Hound
Oct 14, 2008
12,174
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Gainesville, Fl
Thanks guys. For some reason I thought it might be strong enough to pop both, somehow, suppose that might not even be possible since it takes different directions to open each. I just wasn't sure if it was my own issue of it not working all of the time but it sounds fairly common. Better than nothing though I suppose.
Yeah, the only function is to unlatch the glass. Once the glass is popped or unlatched, you manually have to unlock and open the tailgate.
Mine seems to work better when the engine is running rather than just the key being on. But, like I said earlier, I added a relay hoping it would help it somewhat. I think it actually does.
I'm wondering if the solenoid loses efficiency over time. I noticed the trunk release on my Olds Ciera works nice and strong.
 
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5spdCab

Royal Smart Person
Dec 29, 2019
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Tukwila, Wa.
I'm not a wagon owner, but, I responded to a thread where someone asked about sticking locks, my suggestion was to get a can of spray graphite to lubricate the lock and latching mechanisms. Once you do that, you should be good for several months. Being that the spray is a liquid, you will want to have a rag on hand to wipe off the excess.
 
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Ribbedroof

Comic Book Super Hero
Supporting Member
Jan 4, 2009
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Wellston, OK
Same on my century. It unlocks the glass after a few clicks but it i have to manually lift the window for it to open.
Time for new lift cylinders
 
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Longroof79

Rocket Powered Basset Hound
Oct 14, 2008
12,174
9,776
113
Gainesville, Fl
Time for new lift cylinders
They don't seem to last that long, do they? I've lost count of how many I've replaced over the years.
 
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