Same with my 99... I only use the ebrake to go to the drive in...

 

Might be specific to the 5spd then.

 

THAT is a good possibility. I did notice one day that with my auto it will not open if I'm in gear. Have to be in the park position (might work in neutral too, never tried).

But yeah I hadn't thought about that!

 

Which fuse under the hood did you replace?

 

I had same problem. Went to scrap yard and got a new button style one without the key it works now, the key never worked for mine so didnt matter. Actually when I would hit the key one before I swapped it it would actually lock it

 

I bought a new switch and still will not work. The button on the dash will release the back glass, the key locks and unlocks the doors, but when I push the button on the endgate I get nothing.

 

Check your switches with an ohm meter and see if they're working.

 

I have tried to figure out which of the four wires is for the push button. I am assuming one if power, one is unlock, one is lock, and the other must be the push button.