Got a pretty decent deal on this CB9 wagon a few days ago. Needs some obvious work and TLC but runs and drives fine regardless. One only issue is I can't seem to get the rear tailgate to open. I can hear the key move the lock around but when I press on the lever to open the latch it will not budge. I have the LX model as well so I don't have a power trunk release on my key fob or any lever on the interior for that matter? Do I need to access and inspect the latch from the interior? I can imagine this getting difficult for just some novice DIY, especially since the door is stuck closed meaning im gonna have to attempt to remove some interior panel. I can't find any videos or guides that attempt to fix this anywhere so I'm getting pretty desperate at this point. Any recommendations or advice is appreciated.

 

On my 95 civic the trunk key lock cylinder had more tumblers than the doors. I wonder if you got a new key cut by honda from the vin if that might work differently. Also if the hatch has not been open in a long time, the rubber seals may be stuck in place. Over time they tend to almost glue in place as rain and dust mix together where the seals meet the paint. Have you tried pulling up on the hatch on a corner, kind of bouncing the corner as the key is turned to unlock?

 

Have you tried opening it from the inside, so you are pushing on the whole door and not just straining the handle?