I helped a friend today put a new hatch on his 89 944. The new hatch came from a 90 944 that was being parted. That hatch opened perfectly just before we removed it. On his car, the hatch also opened perfectly.

We removed his old hatch and installed the hatch from the 90. After attaching the hatch, we closed it shut to see if the install came out fine. Well, now the hatch won't open. We can hear the actuators moving both left and right, but we can't open the hatch. My guess is that it's the pins on the hatch. I guess they needed adjusting before we should have closed it.

My question is: how do we open the hatch now? Also, after we open it, how do we adjust the pins?

The pins looked very clean and no debris was present.

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

Does it open with the key?

 

When I use the key, you hear it whirring, but I can't pull the hatch open. It worked prior to installing the new hatch. The switch in the drivers footwell also makes the whirring sound when pushed, but the hatch also won't open.

Is there a way to manually release the hatch pin?

 

On an '89, the key operates the hatch motor just like the switch under the left side of the dash does. so if it doesn't open with the switch, it won't open with the key.

If you let the back seat down and crawl inside to the back of the cargo area, you can undo the snaps on the carpet and get to the release mechanism. Use some needle nose pliers or whatever you need to manually pull on the cables for the latches to release the hatch pins.
Sounds like the pins are wedged tight enough that the motor can't pull the cables to release.

 

Sounds like you had it off center when you installed it, causing it to bind the the releases.

 

loosen the four mounting bolts at the top - then jiggle the hatch while you turn the key.

 

or try pushing down over the pins as someone works the key.

87951

 

i have the oposite problem....

lately hatch unlocks while i am on the move....

pretty embarrassing.... Not so dangerous as this started happening while driving in the city (trafic=low speed) .....

Havent figured out whether its electrical problem (i.e. electric motor actuator) or mechanical (hatch lock-pins need to be adjusted......)

 

it's a fine line of where they are tight enuff to keep from popping open to latching too tight/not latching, you just have to play with it.

87951

 

Loosen the four 10mm nuts on the two latches and just wiggle them while someone holds the key or while you pull the arms yourself.

 

+1 Just be glad it is not summer when you crawl back there. Edit: You will not necessarily need a second person as once you've loosened all bolts, you will be able to fiddle with the latch release from inside the hatch.

 

Thanks!!! Mine has been stuck too. Release mechanism works but the hatch is stuck. Been trying to find the answer for a couple years and NOW I finally get one. Mine started when I removed the struts to help seal the hatch in the meantime until I can replace the seal.
First thing on my list now, hope loosening the latch pins works!