DynoLock won't work! (purchased with Retrax)

Just over a month ago I purchased the Retrax Tonneau cover and also had them include the Dynolock for the tailgate.

The tonneau installed pretty easily and is working fine (well the lock is a bit sticky). We've had some pretty bad weather here for most of the summer and so I just managed to get some time together and installed the dynolock this weekend.

After reading a few posts here at ROC and the instructions that came with the lock I figured I had it fairly well planned out. Well, coming to the end of the install I tested the lock and it doesn't work! The solenoid/actuator that is installed in the tailgate does not work at all.

I'm pretty sure the wiring is installed correctly. As a test I ran the long cable directly to the solenoid connection (bypassing the shorter cable), just to make sure it wasn't a connector on the wiring. Still nothing.

Is there a way to verify that the solenoid works? If I can do that it'll be a big help on figuring out where the problem is.

My last issue deals with the plastic/vinyl cap on the tailgate itself. There's over a dozen white clips that help to secure the cap to the tailgate. Easy enough to get it off, but what a bugger to get it back on! I cannot get the cap to slide all the way back into the original position. Is there a trick to get this correctly positioned - I've tried hammering it but it still won't line up.

Any comments would be appreciated.

thanks,
Peter

I can't be of much help with the solenoid problem, but I assume it cycles with a 12v pulse. That information may be listed on a label. If so, get a 12v source and put it directly onto the solenoid leads to bypass the rest of the wiring. If it cycles then recheck your wiring.

The tailgate cap can be a bugger sometimes. Try putting the white clips in the cap first, then simply position the cap so that the clips line up with their respective holes in the tailgate and push the cap down into place.

For a portable electric source, take two nine volt batteries, plug one negative into the other batteries positive. Then for the posts which were not used to connect the batteries, attach a couple of short wire leads (alligator clips help, although you could do this with duct tape). Using the leads from your new portable battery, touch the leads to the solenoid to test.

You may be able to do the same test with a single nine volt. I was able to test out other items with just one battery...I don't know how much kick may be needed to get a solenoid to operate.

Hope this helps.

smroycro's test setup should work. Contact Retrax and Dynalock. They should be able to provide some phone support, particularly Dynalock.

As to the tailgate cap...when I reinstalled mine I could not nudge it over the last 1/4". Next time at the dealer for fluids, I asked the service advisor to have a tech reinstall it. It was done at no cost.

Thanks for the feedback. All are good suggestions. I've sent an email to Dynolock to get some help. I'll have to wait until this weekend to try the battery test.

thanks,