Chevy & GMC Vans

I opened the DD rear hatch the other day on my 97 Safari, and now the passengers side refuses to catch / lock. The plate finger(?) catch on the hatch mechanism itself just moves freely. How exactly does this work and is there an easy fix for this ?
Edit: IF this isn't the correct forum, please move my post.

Do a search, there are several topics on the rear hatch.

Do you ever marvel at the people that change the engines oil every 3000 miles and think that keeps everything lubed ?
Not saying that's the case here but it reminded me of it.

Mmm .. I keep everything lubed, including the locks, latches and hinges. The catch still has lots of lube on it. ;)

I did a search, and couldn't find anything for the catch itself. I'm aware that there is an actuator rod that goes to it (that may have come loose), but I wasn't sure how it connects at the catch end. With it only being 5F here right now, I was wanting to know what I'm getting into, so I don't turn into a popsicle before I'm done.

If you search rear hatch the 4th or 5th down is the thread I made, which includes part numbers, which are for a 2004 so will be different, but if lubing them doesnt fix it you need to replace them.




http://www.astrosafarivans.org/bb2/view ... tch#p90896

Yes, I had been reading your thread a few days ago. It is snot freezing weather here right now, so I haven't gotten into it yet to see what the problem is. I'm using a buddy's shop on the weekend. The part numbers, are those GM numbers?

I think one set of the numbers for the 2nd gen was GM, so there is only a 50% chance the number for the old gen is GM, but I can't remember.