Power Tail Gate - Weak?

[PBGBodyFan]

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]

It's a glass popper only

 

[Longroof79]

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.

 

[81cutlass]

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.

 

[fleming442]

I put a factory GM trunk pop solenoid in the Pig and have the same problem. I was hoping one of you had a solution.....

 

[PBGBodyFan]

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]

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.

 

[5spdCab]

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.

 

[Ribbedroof]

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

 

[Longroof79]

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.