Trouble with rear hatch

We have a 04 SR5 , Even thought my wife has a new vehicle she loves the fourrunner and drives it daily . Having trouble with the rear hatch . I can disconnect the battery and it will reset and open only once . I'm not very handy mechanically , I'm a lumber guy but I feel the latch itself is fine , It has a motor or something that pulls the hatch shut and I think its that but dont know what its called to be able to replace it . If that is actually the problem . Looking for help guys .

 

I could be wrong here, but this is what you might need
Toyota 69110-35062
Back Door Lock Assembly W/Motor

I believe there is a switch in the motor that turns "on" when the door is properly closed and allows the door to be opened again.
When that switch fails, then it thinks the door is still open and is waiting for you to shut the door.

 

Thanks a bunch , just ordered it .

 

Let us know how it turns out, so we can all learn from this

 

Thanks a bunch . That was the problem and the part you suggested worked perfectly . It gave me the confidence to install new headlights which were not all that hard at all . Just took a little time and patience . Again , Thanks

 

Thanks for the update~! And glad it worked out