I have seen several posting regarding problems with rear hatch not releasing. After removing the tool panel I found on mine that the motor worked when the hatch was up but not when it was closed. I also had what I thought was an unrelated problem with my interior lights not coming on when the front doors were opened but onlywhen the hatch was opened. Turns out the interior delay light relay (XXI second from end on right) was bad. When I replaced it with a new one ($45.00 from Porsche Intl) both problems were fixed.

 

Stan,
Oooooh, another good one for my electical gremlin's collection.
Thanks for that post!
John S.