2008 XC70 Tailgate will NOT OPEN!
 

Just-purchased used 2008 XC70, 116k miles. Not totally sure if it's a powered tailgate but I think it is.

Yesterday in rainy freezing conditions struggled to get the tailgate to close. Today will not open. Pressing the fob or dash button gives a soft clicking sound, but gate will not open. So whatever actuator is there appears to be working somewhat. Can unlock and lock tailgate with fob (loud click at tailgate) but won't open. Have pushed door closed hard and open hard as I press the button, thinking to take the strain off the latch but no good.

Have not looked at fuses, since the thing is clicking. There does appear to be a slight misalignment of the tailgate at the LEFT tail lights, suggesting that perhaps something is bound in the opening.

There does not appear to be a manual latch release at the handle section. In other words, I thinkj the button is the only way to open.

Any thoughts on how to proceed? Should I begin by removing trim? If so, how do I do so?

Many thanks.

Jonathan

You have of course tried the release button on the tailgate to see if it will open it?
You said freezing rain. Any chance at all that the rain has frozen the tailgate shut?

Solved
 

Handle was jammed up against housing so that it wasn't obvious that there even was one. Once I pried it with a screw driver, it returned to normal position and now works. Residual problem is that it still sticks, so perhaps I need to disassemble and grease?