Wow, this worked great. I cut off a small paint roller.

I couldn’t get it. I went through the back panel. that latch cover was covering mine up so i removed it. ALSO, while i was in there I tied a piece of 550 cord around the latch and now i can just pull the 550 cord from the bottom instead of fishing around blind. thanks for this video it gave me the idea of rigging it for free instead of replacing this latch and cable again!

THANK YOU!! Another option is: once you get it open I just ran a ziptie around that little gold lever inside and have the pigtail left long and tucked in the gap between the bumper and bottom of the door and VOILA! my new handle!

Thank you so much for this technique. My son opened it in the first try and saved him from having to take back panel in trunk off. Unbelievable. 😊

Thanks from another GA sequoia owner! This helped me get mine open to do a latch bypass

Thank you for this. I've just spent the last two hours climbing over my back seats and prying off the plastic cover and removing screws etc. Very frustrating. Threw everything into the back seat, slammed the door, and made a whiskey. Should have checked the tube first. I'll bend up a Phillips tomorrow and try your method. Thanks !!

It worked!!!! It took so many attempts but got it just the way you described it. Thank you so much!

You deserve the novel prize for this one lol

I had replaced the hatch mechanism 3 times to the tune of 300 bucks each time ,Thanks a $2 screwdriver will do the trick,I don’t have to break the bank.

BRO!! This was quite helpful!! I'm going to try this tonight!

Thanks for your advice and time..blessings

Bro your the man thank you!!!

I was struggling for a few days I try it, it did works like you said,. thanks

The whole sombrero 😂😂😂 legend

Lifesaver! Thank you for making this video. I made the tool you described from a altered IKEA “S hook”. The detail shot at the end was especially helpful since I had to come back and finish watching the video after trying unsuccessfully on my first try. After watch the end, I got the latch open in 10 seconds. Thanks again.

Thanks a million. Blessings to you.

Thanks brother!! Big help!

It works. Super Easy...Thank you

beautiful! Thank you! I took the insides off but the cable came off in my hand trying to open the latch so I needed this method to get in!

Friggin awesome ... thanks for the tip. This will make replacing the latch a lot easier.

Great tip! however if the plastic cover is still covering the latch mechanism, this method may not work. My issue is the pin clip inside the latch has seized and pulling the cable of the lever that you hit with the screwdriver does nothing. So I'm about to pull out the old trusty stick of dynamite to get this open. Argh!

Thanks! It worked fast.

2:28 PDT works great! I used a small paint roller, perfect size for this. Thanks

This technique definitely works even with the cover on. I had mine on and I used a small roller handle its the perfect size and and it has the shape that you are looking for. I could not believe it this is a lifesaver. I purchase small roller handle at lowes its called brand valspar walls & ceilings 3/8 nap 4” wire mini roller & frame. Try it it works.

The only problem is toyota has this opening covered with some plastic trim. They knew about the possibility of someone trying to break in like that. I Used some wire cutters and cut the rest of the old handle arm off. Than used a pair of Long 90 deg needle nose pliers, worked through the role and pushed down on the Lever to open the door. Only hard part was getting the pliers worked into the hole. Most importantly be VERY careful to not move to far in one direction or the other or you WILL break the cover panel or lights or both! While inside there be sure to Lunbricate the latch mechanism and spray some lithium inside the ends of the cable. Then also, all the gears, pivots and channels for the rear window. Don't use WD40, it doesn't last, use a good waterproof grease. I use spray on never-seze on the window parts, just be careful with it if you use it, it will drip if you use to much and it can splatter everything and make mess. Moderation is best, it will spread itself around.

Awesome! Thank you very much! It worked!!

WOW! This is the simplest video yet on how to open the hatch if it works?

Nice. Thank you.

Thank you

I have a 2004 Sequoia, I tried replacing both the handle and the locking/unlocking mechanism on the rear hatch. A few days later same problem, would not open, there is a design flaw which prevents the handle and locking mechanism working effectively together. In the end I drilled a small hole under my license plate inserting the ball end of the release cable. The cable end rests nicely under the license plate so it's hidden, and only a small amount of effort is required and the hatch opens every time, easy. Been good now for a year. Also it seems the locking mechanism is prone to rusting and can seize, I would recommend giving yours a good spray of PB Blaster a couple of times a year to stop it from seizing.

Brilliant!

Thank you!

Thanks

Nice

Awesome

I used a mini paint roller handle and it works just fine

Thanks I needed that !

I was excited when i found this. I got a mini-paint roller handle that looks similar to your tool. BUT...I cannot for the life of me find the hole...might there be some part / plastic that you removed before....or is my tool length too big? I will try a close hanger hook but for now I cannot find te hole. thx.

Brilliant

Amazing

Great info - COuld have been done in 30 secs.

This is stupid. He didn’t tell you that he took the cover off that’s the reason why he was able to open it. Don’t do this if you have nit remove the cover to the strike latch or you will damage your seal or paint

Would you say...bend the screw driver about 3 inches? I’ve been trying it but no luck so far...

Hey there. I attached a keychain clip to the metal thing behind the trunk’s plastic cover. I now tug on the chain I made from the outside instead of using a metal tool to fish in there like you did in the video. The only problem is that the trunk can still be open while the car is locked. Also the trunk can take a few tries to shut and lock. I think the keychain is too big to allow the latch to fully close. What do you think?

Wow

What the point in covering the license plate

see my latest video for cover installed --sorry

Will this work if both are damaged?

How about when you change the handle & after 1 week or 2 it won’t open the handle is not open but won’t open

Only works if you dont have the dust cover on lock

1st off thank you for the video. Really helps. 2nd. I feel like this video could be 30 seconds long and we could spend a lot less time hearing you say words.

skip to 3:00 for beginning

You can't open the hatch from the handle or it will cause stress on the cable. you have to lift from the bottom with your fingers.

Can't we just, fix it? 😎

I’ve tried this on my 05 sequoia. I see the plastic guard is not on yours.

Mine has the cover I can't do it

Mine has a plastic cover over that hole so I can't do it.

Only issue is that you’re missing the black cove that goes over the catch assembly……..

You must take the plastic cover off the lower locking mechanism.

Mine is not like that unfortunately, so I guess I have to figure out something else

Mine has a plastic cover on it.

What can I do if my cable is not connected?

Doesn’t work w the plastic trim on that’s something YOU didn’t tell us about

This doesn't work unless you've previously removed the cover.

Thank you for sharing. However, this method WILL NOT work for most. There is a plastic cover OVER the latch that covers the opening for the latch mechanism that this method uses to pry open the door. This video fails to mention this.

Waste of time like he said

Thanks