Rear hatch has two rods inside the gate, take off the rear plastic panel from inside then you will see one of the lucking rods is loose because the horseshoe self lucking washer is not there, put the rod back in place then rear gate open, install new washer and you will be happy.
I have a newer Astro Van 2005 and had the same problem. It was the fuse connected with the cigarette lighter. For some reason that fuse only does one half of the hatch when it goes, only one half of your hatch will unlock. Also, a warning to anyone else with a newer Astro van, the dealership told us the gate was much much harder to take apart and fix on the newer vans. So just an FYI to add on here for anyone with a newer van that stumbles on this problem.
how do you get the door open
my back door to my astro van is jammed some how cannot open it is there another way to open this door. Desperate,
open it up and back into a tree this worked for me
== == Pull on the inside door handle and it will release it so you can reset the mechanism with your fingers. This solution also worked on a Chevy Astro van 1990.
when you open the driver door, you can get to it from the side of the dash. you can only open it when the door is open
in my 88 astro van I had to completely break out the back handle to first get the door open then I was able to remove interior door cover to do thr replacement. in my 99 asto van I was able to remove the interior cover to open the door then replace the handle.
how do I remove rear speaker in rear door 94 astro van rear door will not open
You can access the mechanism to lower the spare tire from under the van.
you do the puzzle
Open the door.
wedge top of door open a little and get a metal coat hanger bent to reach button.
you have to finish the puzzle then click on the door