Rear hatch stuck
10-24-2008, 03:56 PM
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Rear hatch stuck
i really do not use my rear hatch that much, except for the weekly groceries of about 20-30 lbs of dog food 
i just used it about 2 nights ago and it was working just fine, then until today, the left (drivers side) does not want to open when using the key OR the button in the cockpit. is there any troubleshooting i can do or try before i pry it open with a crowbar ??
thanks in advance
i just used it about 2 nights ago and it was working just fine, then until today, the left (drivers side) does not want to open when using the key OR the button in the cockpit. is there any troubleshooting i can do or try before i pry it open with a crowbar ??
thanks in advance
10-24-2008, 04:06 PM
#2
u can try to go in thru the back seat and see if the cylinder is turning the two bars. probably one of them disconnected or snapped. u might be able to pop the cylinder out completely.....i'll take a look tonite.
10-24-2008, 04:41 PM
#3
Unbannable
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Like Krystar said, go through the back seat and pull down the carpeting along the back of the hatch. You'll see a metal bar going to both hatch releases. If you manually pull one of those bars (I forget which direction) it should pop the hatch open.
Assuming nothing is broken, the releases may just need to be lub'd and/or adjusted.
BB.
Assuming nothing is broken, the releases may just need to be lub'd and/or adjusted.
BB.
10-24-2008, 05:16 PM
#6
Drifting
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push down a few times, if not crawl through the hatch and make sure everything is still connected. also if you can get someone to help. if the where the pin goes down has shifted just a little you can move it and have someone unlock it, then it'll open and you can readjust where the pin goes, then a lil wd40, and you're good to go.
10-24-2008, 06:14 PM
#7
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Like Krystar said, go through the back seat and pull down the carpeting along the back of the hatch. You'll see a metal bar going to both hatch releases. If you manually pull one of those bars (I forget which direction) it should pop the hatch open.
Assuming nothing is broken, the releases may just need to be lub'd and/or adjusted.
BB.
Assuming nothing is broken, the releases may just need to be lub'd and/or adjusted.
BB.
i want to start by saying thank you to everyone because only YOU THE PEOPLE OF RENNLIST CAN CONVINCE ME TO GO INSIDE THAT DREADFUL CRAMPED PLACE MY REAR HATCH
the rear hatch is a place no one above 6 foot (i am about 6'2'') would like to be in.
but i did go back there and take apart the carpet and i checked the cylinder and it seems fine. the metal rod that if you push in the INWARD direction (both sides) is functioning.
i managed to get the hatch open (still is open) but with some force from the inside to push the hatch up. i put the key in and turned and it turned everything the way it should and i looked inside the hole where the 2 latch "pins" go inside to lock it and it opens and closes fine.
i then closed it again and tried opening it with the key, and still the passengers side only opens and the drivers side sits there...locked. i opened the hatch again (manually from the INSIDE) and decided to update you guys
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10-24-2008, 06:15 PM
#8
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
10-24-2008, 06:33 PM
#10
Not Special
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Another thing you can try is to do is use something (or a second person) to hold the electronic release down and lift up on it from outside the hatch.
You may need to adjust the hatch pin.
You may need to adjust the hatch pin.
10-24-2008, 06:36 PM
#11
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
how do i re-adjust them?? i have the automotive repair manual for the 944 and to no avail, they have nothing on this particular problem..
and i am the only one here at my house until later tonite, my brother and sister are out being teenagers and mom is out working late
and i am the only one here at my house until later tonite, my brother and sister are out being teenagers and mom is out working late
10-24-2008, 06:54 PM
#12
Burning Brakes
Join Date: Apr 2007
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To re-adjust them, i unscrew them all the way until they are about to come out. Then i tighten them half a turn at a time until they catch equally and there is no play in the hatch. If they are too tight, it will be hard to turn the key. If they are too loose the hatch will have a little bit of play. if they are not equal, they wont release the same.
10-24-2008, 07:14 PM
#13
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
To re-adjust them, i unscrew them all the way until they are about to come out. Then i tighten them half a turn at a time until they catch equally and there is no play in the hatch. If they are too tight, it will be hard to turn the key. If they are too loose the hatch will have a little bit of play. if they are not equal, they wont release the same.
going to the garage right now
thank you so much
10-24-2008, 07:44 PM
#14
Not Special
Rennlist Member
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Also, from Clark's Garage about the rear hatch...
A noisy rear hatch (squeaking or rattling) can be caused by several different things.
Over time, the hatch seals tend to dry out and shrink. As a result, the hatch does not fit as tightly and it can rattle or squeak. If so, this can often be corrected by adjusting the two posts on the rear hatch. To adjust the posts, loosen the lock nut next to the hatch. To tighten the post, turn it clockwise several turns and then tighten down the lock nut. Be careful not to tighten the post to much or the hatch will difficult to latch and unlatch.
Another possible cause is latch mechanism for the rear hatch. The latch mechanism needs to periodically lubricated. Use a good quality grease to lubricate the latch mechanisms on both sides. A combination of lubrication and adjusting the posts will often solve a squeaky hatch.
Finally, the most difficult hatch repair is caused by the rear glass separating from the hatch frame. This is caused by repeatedly slamming the rear hatch. The vibration caused by slamming the hatch closed, over time, causes the glass to separate from the frame. That's why it's important to close the hatch by lowering it down against the hatch opening gently and then pushing down on the rear of the hatch to latch it.
Over time, the hatch seals tend to dry out and shrink. As a result, the hatch does not fit as tightly and it can rattle or squeak. If so, this can often be corrected by adjusting the two posts on the rear hatch. To adjust the posts, loosen the lock nut next to the hatch. To tighten the post, turn it clockwise several turns and then tighten down the lock nut. Be careful not to tighten the post to much or the hatch will difficult to latch and unlatch.
Another possible cause is latch mechanism for the rear hatch. The latch mechanism needs to periodically lubricated. Use a good quality grease to lubricate the latch mechanisms on both sides. A combination of lubrication and adjusting the posts will often solve a squeaky hatch.
Finally, the most difficult hatch repair is caused by the rear glass separating from the hatch frame. This is caused by repeatedly slamming the rear hatch. The vibration caused by slamming the hatch closed, over time, causes the glass to separate from the frame. That's why it's important to close the hatch by lowering it down against the hatch opening gently and then pushing down on the rear of the hatch to latch it.
10-24-2008, 07:48 PM
#15
Burning Brakes
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Oh yea definatly use some type of lubrication for the release mechanisms. I use anti-corrosion marine grade grease that comes in an aerosol can.