Suburban tailgate glass

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

shanegtr

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 29, 2018
Posts
313
Reaction score
267
Location
Perth, Australia
First Name
Shane
Truck Year
1989
Truck Model
R2500 Suburban
Engine Size
454
Hi guys, just a quick question regarding the operation of the tailgate glass on the suburbans. I can lower the glass with the key but I cannot raise it with the key. Only way I can raise the glass is with the ignition on and via the dash rocker switch. Previous owner said that its always been that way since he owned it. Should I be able to raise the tailgate glass with the key from the tailgate?
 

Blue Ox

Turning Diesel Fuel Into Fun
Joined
Mar 27, 2018
Posts
4,831
Reaction score
10,633
Location
LI-NY
First Name
Derek
Truck Year
MCMLXXXV
Truck Model
K20HD
Engine Size
6.2L
Yes.
 

Snoots

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 23, 2013
Posts
8,158
Reaction score
15,957
Location
Georgia
First Name
Roger
Truck Year
1973
Truck Model
Jimmy Sierra
Engine Size
350
Someone posted on here how to rebuild the rear switch and safety lockout on the drivers side latch.
 

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
28,963
Reaction score
23,479
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
If it goes up with the dash switch then the safeys switch is fine. Key switch or a broken wire.
 

Snoots

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 23, 2013
Posts
8,158
Reaction score
15,957
Location
Georgia
First Name
Roger
Truck Year
1973
Truck Model
Jimmy Sierra
Engine Size
350
You must be registered for see images attach


BTW: If you find one in the boneyard, GRAB IT! GM discontinued the switch in '09 and you will be damn lucky to find one at any GM dealer.
They are simple to rebuild if you are slow and careful.

Your problem may likely be with the switch connector (corrosion, broken wire). Clean off the corrosion, add some dielectric grease and reassemble and you're good to go.
 
Last edited:

shanegtr

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 29, 2018
Posts
313
Reaction score
267
Location
Perth, Australia
First Name
Shane
Truck Year
1989
Truck Model
R2500 Suburban
Engine Size
454
thanks guys, very helpful
 

rpcraft

Full Access Member
Joined
May 31, 2016
Posts
1,329
Reaction score
507
Location
Texas
First Name
Robert
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
Jimmy
Engine Size
LS 6.0 364 CID
I can't speak for the suburban version but when I rebuilt my k5 tailgate I noticed that there were some broken pieces of the wire insulation on and around the safety switch area so I would highly recommend Replacing the wiring in there (does not have to be color coded but it is nice if you can find it) and make sure it is sized appropriately. There is no guarantee it will contact or short but after taking a close look at mine I could tell that it would deteriorate further and it's just a downhill battle from there. I also dissected and removed the mechanism that forces you to roll the window down all the way before you can unlatch the tailgate. I understand its a safety device but it sure makes working on the tailgate so much easier. Just a tip in case the Burb has that same type of device. I also found that the key switch was operating erratically so I took it and sprayed electrical contact cleaner on it and it performed much better. I also took the motor grounds and cleaned all the contact points on it and the chassis with a wire cup on my grinder and then remounted the motor and it works much better now. The surfaces were pretty rusty from previous work being done and leaving it exposed. Once I had it all reassembled I put some CRC sp-350 on the naked stuff rather than paint. It will withstand any moisture but not force me to have to strip any paint for the next round of work I need to do in there.
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
41,856
Posts
903,621
Members
33,370
Latest member
mitchell1128
Top