jeryst

Sorry for the newbie question, but I just got the car a couple of days ago. 1983 944na.

I need into the hatch area to change a light bulb. I only got an ignition key with the car. The key goes into the hatch lock, but does not turn.

Does the ignition key open the hatch, or is there a separate key?
Is there a control somewhere inside the car to open the hatch?

Thanks in advance for any help.

F40LM

It's been a while since I had my '83. But on my '86 the ignition key is not the same as the hatch key. On my '86 there is a big button on the drivers side near the floor in the dead pedal area. Mine still doesn't work...mentally adding it to my weekend to fix list.

Put the rear seat down get you a pair of pliers and do the '944 hatch crawl' to the inside rear of the car. Welcome to the fun btw.

Once in there you will see how you can turn the mechanisim to get the lacthes to operate. After you get it open see it key works. If it doesn't you will need to buy another latch/key set, I am sure someone here will have one laying around. If it does you need to play around with loosening the catches on the car side and adjusting the pins on the hatch side to get them right. And of course until you get it right be prepare to do the crawll inside several times to re-release the hatch and try again.

Good luck, welcome, and keep us posted.

michael

jeryst

Thank you.

BTW, probably a stupid question, but how do you get the rear seat to fold down? I dont see a latch or button anyplace.

84DMFD944

I Have an 84 944 the ignition key is the same key that opens the hatch some times it gets stuck try wd40 or just wiggle the heck out of it, if that dose not work try going in through the back seat the button shoud be on the top on drivers side i think (I do not have the car infront of me right now) once you get the seat to fold down remove the button up carpet in the back where the spare goes and look for a lever after you find that lever go out and get a aftermarket manual and it should help out a lot. i found one for like 15 $! I hope this helps!

84DMFD944

ya what he said! i wish i read that before i wrote the same thing!

Butters944

The hatch opens with the same key as ignition, and there is no release switch...

On my 83 the hatch will not open with the struts on it. They put so much pressure on the hatch that sometimes the key won't turn. Try taking off the struts if they are on.

the rear seat releases by a loop on the drivers side edge of the seat back.

Keith

mytrplseven

According to my wiring diagrams, the remote switch for the hatch release came into being with the '85 models. Not sure if it's the early one or later one. Crawling into the back you have to pull down the rear cargo area back wall snaps and get access to the lock. A pair of pliers should turn the arm on the back of the lock to get it initially open. After that, slightly loosen the 2 bolts on the back of the hatch pin receivers and see if they move with the key. If they do, spray the jaws in the hole with some spray lube, see if the key works smoothly. If it doesn't take the links off and pull the lock out and see if it works with a good spay of wd-40 inside the hole. If that doesn't free it up then it's off to ebay, craigslist (craigsnation will cover all the states) on a parts hunt. Get one with a key or two to match.

ernie9468

83 -944 same key for ignition & hatch ,but be very careful not to break your key.Don't force it or twist it back & forth ,shot some W-40 in there & let it soak for a while,the lock barrel is probably cease or stuck.Sending you a diagram.

thirdgenbird

my 87 924s uses the same key for the ignition, hatch, and gas cap. (the real question is what locks the glove box)

if my key ever quits working or, heaven forbid, i ever close my key in the hatch i am screwed. i have fixed back seats bolted directly to the floor and a roll bar.

ernie9468

[QUOTE=thirdgenbird;8616942] (the real question is what locks the glove box)

Key_ C_is the glove boxe key on your 924S.If you still have it, lol since they have a tendency to get lost in a 24 years period,lock is underneath the small (swinging Porsche Crest) on the GB door.

thirdgenbird

i have two of key C but i but i think they both operate the original locking lugs. i dont believe they are keyed the same. i tried with little success.

jeryst

I played around with the key, and was able to get it to turn by pushing down really hard on the hatch. Once I had it open, I oiled the whole interior assembly, and it turns pretty freely now. There still seems to be a little rough spot that is catching right when you first turn the key, but then it moves pretty freely. I've tried it a couple of times, and it opens without too much trouble now.

Thanks for your help.

944_FUnRUn

Hi everyone, just joined today myself. This is a great forum here and this will be my second post.
I'm having a similar issue with opening the rear window hatch. The button on the drivers side revolves the motor but there is an element that supposed to connect to an angled metal connector attached to the rods that connect to the tailgate locks. I'm learning the part names here. I'll upload a photo but it seems there was a plastic piece that connected the angled hook to the circular turning mechanism and kept it in place. I've been trying to search for it online but I don't know what it's called.

Butters944

Welcome to the community! not familiar with the power hatch release mechanism, so can't help you out there, sure somebody can!

BlackD150

I have to push down while i turn the key on my 84 944 then lift up one side at a time, Anyone have part 17, 18 and 19 from the green chart above? mine have become crossthreaded and rusted cant get them apart, my hatch pin is a bit too long and it rattles.