1995 Pontiac Transport Rem.Lift Gate Handle:Garnish Clip Re

I have looked on ALLDATA, it shows nothing. I did notice on Mitchell it said: Pull Strap. Remove cargo lights from trim panel. Remove screws from trim panel. Disengage plastic retaining studs from grommets in inner panel using Garnish Clip remover J24595-C. I don't believe those inserts are supposed to be removed. I tried looking on GM service info, but it does not support much prior to 1998, and your body style ended in 1996. I have access to a factory service manual at my dealership, the problem is I am currently on vacation untill next Monday. See if that little bit on the plastic studs and grommets gives you a different approach and let me know. I can't guarantee that the factory service manual will be any more comprehensive than what we have so far.

Thank you for your response. I've just gotten your eMail. Since entry; I have viewed J24595-C, and think/hope I’m past that point. But still the problem remains.

[quote:56af5b5aa1="gstacey"]on Mitchell it said: Pull Strap. Remove cargo lights from trim panel. Remove screws from trim panel. Disengage plastic retaining studs from grommets in inner panel using Garnish Clip remover J24595-C. I don't believe those inserts are supposed to be removed.[/quote:56af5b5aa1]

However, the above is [u:56af5b5aa1][i:56af5b5aa1]Preceeded by:[/u:56af5b5aa1][/i:56af5b5aa1] Remove speaker grilles from trim finish panel by carefully releasing plastic clips at top of each grille. Remove speaker grilles. Remove screws beneath grilles retaining upper end of trim panel to lift gate inner panel. …[i:56af5b5aa1]& it continues to direct me to 'Disconnect lift gate lock actuator electrical connector.See Fig 2[/i:56af5b5aa1] = crtsyOf. General Motors –zoom of [u:56af5b5aa1]just[/u:56af5b5aa1] lock mechanism – (listed under ‘Lift Gate Lock Motor”)

Mitchell then considers top 1/3 of the 'trim panel' removed; giving [u:56af5b5aa1]open access[/u:56af5b5aa1] to next = 'cargo lights' which would then be just within an inch inside top of the final 2/3 'trim panel.'

But with my one piece with no [u:56af5b5aa1]open access[/u:56af5b5aa1], reaching in from side or top, while gently tipping the whole piece away as far as I can, with semingly ONLY the 'pull strap' or 'inner handle' attaching it, still not enough room to access ‘cargo lights’ nor enough to see inside for access to ‘strap/handle’ connect. It’s not 'bolted’ all the way through, only two 'bumps/dimples' (inside->out) behind license plate on a solid one piece(?) outer shell of lift gate What a headache over two connections.

Could “plastic retaining studs from grommets in inner panel" be referring to the connectors for the two sides of the ‘strap/handle’? To then use Garnish Clip remover J24595-C? Have no idea how to reach it though. Or, used on ‘inserts’? Or forget J..-C, I’ve already done what it was for, and focus on just the ‘strap/handle’ removal.

So I put all the screws back in, and the vertical strips, and I wait, for people like you to help. I really do appreciate it too. Sorry I got your response so late. I would very much appreciate you checking on it for me. Thanks again.

I looked at our service manual library, and all I found was 94 Silhouette, Lumina, Transport manual. The 94 showed somewhat as you describe, with speaker grilles, and a single pull strap held on with a screw(bolt). Do you possibly have a means of sending some digital photos, of the entire panel, and some specifics like the cargo lights, and the pull handle.

I can, I will, just ... Apt. inspection later this week, so will be able to get them this weekend or early next week. I so thank you for your help.

Sure would like to get panel off and do a 'few' things, access lock motor, inside fix for dent/crack in shell, etc...

Thanks again.

Hi taqurimoon, let us know what you find. Thank you for using 2CarPros.com. We appreciate your donation and look forward to helping you in the future.

Coincidentally, I looked at what we had for service manuals. 1991, 93, and 94 all had a pull strap with one exposed screw. 96 had a pull handle with fasteners under trim caps at each end, and 97 had a pull handle with exposed fasteners. The garnish clip remover is for the clips that secure the trim panel to the door, it has nothing to do with the handle.

"trim caps" sounds like what I need to get off to get the pull handle off.

Sorry no pics yet, broke foot and can't get out to get them. Will do when can. Thanks for all your help. I unfortunately do things at slower than snail pace.

Just now got eMail after no INet access from service for awhile.
Thanks all, will get back to this soon.