2000 expedition Rear glass will not latch

[Petesexpy]

I replaced lower latch cable 3 years ago, but not the upper one. Today my wife tried latching the rear glass and it just popped off. Is there a way to latch it from the inside, or do I need a new latch?
UPDATE - I played with the latch and latch cable from the inside and it did latch. So, either the latch is worn out or the cable must be replaced.

 

[JamaicaJoe]

Try manipulating the latch with a screwdriver with glass open. Maybe it misfired and thinks the glass is closed.

 

[Petesexpy]

Try manipulating the latch with a screwdriver with glass open. Maybe it misfired and thinks the glass is closed.

I did after putting glass down and I took the inside panel off. It latched. I think maybe it's the link that's worn out. I replaced the one for the tailgate latch, but not the glass latch.

 

[JamaicaJoe]

I did after putting glass down and I took the inside panel off. It latched. I think maybe it's the link that's worn out. I replaced the one for the tailgate latch, but not the glass latch.

I am curious which direction your gas struts for the glass and rear hatch are positioned. Piston rod up or down? Mine were up last time I changed them and in changing them again I see instructions for the other direction, rod down.

 

[jr1under]

I am curious which direction your gas struts for the glass and rear hatch are positioned. Piston rod up or down? Mine were up last time I changed them and in changing them again I see instructions for the other direction, rod down.

On mine, the cylinders for both are attached to the moving part - the glass and hatch. No definite reason for doing it that way other than that's how they were when I last changed them.

 

[jr1under]

I think maybe it's the link that's worn out.

By 'link', do you mean the thin braided wire cable going between the handle and the lock?

 

[Petesexpy]

I am curious which direction your gas struts for the glass and rear hatch are positioned. Piston rod up or down? Mine were up last time I changed them and in changing them again I see instructions for the other direction, rod down.

I always do rod down, so water does not accumulate in them.

 

[Petesexpy]

By 'link', do you mean the thin braided wire cable going between the handle and the lock?

Yes, exactly. Amazon sells the part that breaks on these cables, but it must be slightly modified to fit.

 

[jr1under]

Yes, exactly. Amazon sells the part that breaks on these cables, but it must be slightly modified to fit.

Ok, you already knew there's an aftermarket fix costing a whole lot less than a new cable.

I used these on my Exp and F150, they fit perfectly, all the prep I had to do was clean off the remnants of the original end. And then make sure the end-piece slot was rotated away from the opening.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HZ05854/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Petesexpy]

Ok, you already knew there's an aftermarket fix costing a whole lot less than a new cable.

I used these on my Exp and F150, they fit perfectly, all the prep I had to do was clean off the remnants of the original end. And then make sure the end-piece slot was rotated away from the opening.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HZ05854/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I had to deepen and widen the slot. Otherwise the cable would not move.