2008 XC70 Tailgate Will Not Open

[Jtnb]

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

[blurat]

I just bought the same car. Thought the gate was broken. Heard the faint click and nothing happened. Read some and saw where I need to hold the button for as much as several seconds for the door to open. Sometimes I hit the button on the personal communicator and hear the first click, then I release and hold it down a second time and after a few seconds the door opens.

[pierremcalpine]

I wonder if maybe the ice caused one of the hydraulic lift motors to give out...?