My 87's hatch no longer opens. It was working fine until I tried the key the other day, I felt some resistance but did not listen to my inner voice telling me not to force it. Long story short the motor still cycles but sounds like it is bearing down during the last bit of the cycle so I have not tried it again. My hatch receiver was replaced a few years ago with the one from Roger.

Is there a way to crawl in the back to facilitate the opening of the hatch without further damage?

 

Yes there's a way.
I will need to seach a bit to find how but I'm sure I read something on this here...

Here's two:
Open trunk from inside - Rennlist - Porsche Discussion Forums
Pop rear hatch frim the inside?? - Rennlist - Porsche Discussion Forums

 

while pushing down on the hatch and turning the key both ways
see if it feels like the key has moved the opening tang.

 

One day my hatch would not open, even when using the key - the next day I came out and it was opened.

The fix was to apply silicon spray onto the entire rubber seal to keep it from sticking on the paint, and I never had an issue since.

 

I couldn't turn the key in my '84. It turned out that it just needed lubrication.

 

Thanks Wayne.
https://apis.mail.yahoo.com/ws/v3/ma...4-eb0000011500

 

Pretty sure I broke it, the key moves easily left or right and has no effect on the hatch even when pressing down.

 

AHH OK then you need to replace the white pawl inside the lock ,
you may have to drill a small hole to insert a rod into the pawl to press it to the open
, this is done while laying on the hatch floor.