So, I can't get my rear hatch to open. I tried using the key and the release button but neither worked. It didn't even sound like the latches are releasing. I couldn't find anything in the Haynes Manual. Any ideas?

 

pull the seats forward, drop the rear seatback and climb in there with a pry tool or some pliers and yank on the rods that connect the lock to the latches and see if they open

 

When this happened to me the retaining clip that holds the rods Spencer is talking about in had loosened and the rod wasn't being moved to release the hatch. However, we both happen to have earlies, what year is yours?

 

My late model's hatch wouldn't open until I loosened the bolts which hold the latch's mechanisms on both sides sligthly. If tightened completely, the latches don't release all the way, and the pins can't release.

 

+1

if its not opening loosing the latches, its a constant battle to get these hatches to work right.

 

lol, mine would open but then something broke, a small plastic piece that held the connecting pieces together broke off and I can't figure out now how it goes back together.

it used to only open with the force of the electric motor not with the key. hope I can get it fixed eventually. right now it's just locked closed and I can't get it to open. oh well.

 

someone needs to make a way to get the hatches to be more reliable.
So many people have problems...
Mine used to pop itself open... then it wouldn't open at all. Right now I have the latch release linkage completely out of the car because it rattled and it never worked. I have to crawl into my hatch and unbolt the latches to open my hatch.

An infinite number of internets to anyone who can think of a way to make these hatches release systems better!!!!!

 

yeah they suck, at least mine has stayed shut and isn't just popping open while i'm driving. I'm going to have to open it eventually as I want to replace my hatch with a used one that isn't separating badly like mine.

 

mine hasn't opened since i got it...but it isn't seperated either so...

 

Thanks for all the advice. Mine is an 88, and it's never done this before. I actually thought it was doing better because the key release started working for a little bit, but then this happen. It stuck pretty bad though. I would hit the release, pop one side, hit again, and then open it. Like I keep saying, my car is a work in progress!

 

Figured it'd be better to bump this, than make a new topic. So my hatch won't open at all any more. It doesn't even sound like it's trying to release. Hold the release button down.......nothing. Usually there's a wiiiiiir of the bolts being released. Maybe a fuse? Or maybe the motors have gone out. Any other ideas?

Drew

 

the motor is behind the passenger side tail light. Remove the rear carpet. Then while hitting the button see if you can see it working. Will the hatch open with the key?

 

No, but that's been a hit or miss thing since I've had the car. I'll check the motor more closely tomorrow.

 

Here is how you get in:
Take a big heavy hammer and forcefully hit the center of the glass.
After that just use your exposed hands and peel the glass away.
Fixed!
Did you check to see if you were getting power to the motor?

 

You need to climb into the cargo area, pull the carpet back at the rear of the car, and pull the two rods attached to the lock mechanism towards the center of the car. This will release the catches that hold the pin.
When my hatch failed completely the bit of metal that turned when the lock was twisted or the motor activated had broken. There was no way to move the rods. I had to replace that piece. Ended up getting the lock assembly off a parts car and replacing. Hatch works fine now...