Had the same problem. There are two cables that run to the handle for both sides (obviously). If you remove the outer black trim from the handle you can see that one or both of the cables broke off. Alls I did was use a zip tie to rig it back on there (I'm cheap) and it has worked ever since. The only thing is the black trim is a pain to get back on that's why when you drive around look at other tailgate handles and you'll see a lot of Silverado's are missing it because of the same problem.
I don't know why this is happening to early 2000 silverados. Myself, my father inlaw and his brother all have silverados and non of our tailgates work now. To top it all off we are having a bitch of a time finding the right parts to be able to fix it. The only solution the dealer ship gave us was to buy an entire new tailgate. This is not acceptable! If they made a quality product like they use to they wouldn't be losing as many customers to foreign car companies. It used to be that any red blooded American wanted to drive a big American truck but that is definately changing and I can see why. This isn't the first problem I have had and I'm sure it's not the last.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Yes, the tailgate handle stopped working after a furniture move. Im going to try the suggestion listed here and get back to you. See if its a cable.
- deborahca, Palo Alto, CA, US