For the past month or so my 2001 F-150's tailgate wont open. The handle will move, and the lock works and everything but it just wont unlatch. took off my tailgate liner and the cover to the latch assembly and nothing seems to be broken. Sprayed it all with WD-40 and still nothing. Anyone know whats going on, or where i can find a schematic or plan of the moving parts in the tailgate. The piece in the middle that looks like it should spin to pull the tailgate cables looks like it wants to move, just cant. Please help as its a pain to lift everything over the tailgate and I dont want to have to go to the dealer and pay top dollar.

 

Sounds like you need a new handle assembly you can pick this up and install it yourself . when you take it apart just go back together the same way. Try looking up Keystone Automotive in your area you can get a aftermarket latch pretty cheep from them and it works just like the new one.