Ranch Wagon - Tail/Liftgate question

[meteor]

Okay, there are two pins on the top of the tailgate. When you pull the tailgate handle part way, the liftgate is supposed to pop open a tad so you can lift it into position - right? My problem is that the driver-side pin doesn't drop when I pull the tailgate handle so the liftgate won't open (the pin does move freely by hand so it is not jammed or seized).

Here is where I'm confused, there is a mechanism on the pass-side that engages the pin to pull it down into the tailgate. The driver-side does not have this mechanism so it seems there is nothing to pull the pin. Nothing to pull the pin = liftgate not opening. I'm sure there is a very simple explanation...

Here are a couple pics,

Passenger side...


Driver side...