i have a 1999 Chevy silverado and i do know that i had to take mine into dealer for replacement parts. check out the recalls for 1999-newer and they have the tailgate parts as recalled and will replace some of them for free, including free labor. hope that helps!
If the tailgate is dropped hard it can toggle the locking mechanism. If you don't have a key to unlock the tailgate, you'll have to remove the plastic side of the tailgate (the inside) and flip the locking lever back to the unlocked position. While you have the cover off you might as well put some drops of oil on all of the metal moving parts inside the tailgate.
If you look where the handle goes you will see 2 rods. Just squezz them together. Are use a screewdriver to pry them towards each other.
It is dirty and rusty inside, Needs cleaned and lubed real good.
To remove the tailgate lock on a 1989 S-10 Blazer, first remove the cover over the inside of the tailgate by removing the bolts on the side and on the handle. Pop the vinyl away from the tailgate. Then remove the bolts holding the lock on and remove the lock.
it should say in your manual, otherwise look on the inside of the fuse panel cover (its located on the side of the dash that's covered when the drivers door is closed). sometimes there is a listing in there.
There are two Philips screws inside the bed. Lower the tailgate and you can see them...
If you have rear speakers in the tailgate, remove the cover(s) and the speaker and reach in and turn the mechanism to open
open tailgate and there will be two screws. upper and lower. upper by the tailgate latch.
On my pickup, there is a diagram on the inside of the cover of the fuse box. Also a diagram in the owner's manual.
The bulb is probley bad are not grounded, Remove cover and check the bulb and the bulb socket. Cover may be leaking water inside. Reseal if needed.
The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 fuel pump shutoff switch is located in the fuse box. The location of the switch can be found on the inside cover of the fuse box.
If no obvious screws or cover plugs, it just pulls off. Most door panels do. May have to remove inside handle first if there is one.