Did not work for me on my 1988 Porsche 928.
My lock only opened with the little ***** in door jams
The key would only go half way to right
Then I pushed the center white button in the bottom of hatch lock and it stayed down.
Now nothing will open it including screw driver from inside into latch prying slider down and moving arm controlled by motor.
For some reason my battery keeps draining so there could also be a short.

After charging, I will try trunk release buttons on both sides before resorting to the drill.

 

The medium size screwdriver does work to unlatch the hatch.
Just push it in just above the black peice at the top of the base and it will push the top white locking piece fliping it open.
It has to go in there what seems like an inch.

 

Is there a way to install a remote release inside a car that doesn't have it as an option? My 83 had it's original lock practically destroyed and replaced with a different one, my key does not work in it. I'll need to find a way for it to latch fully, but I want to be able to open it afterwards lol.

 

Nothing cheap about a Porsche.
I had to replace my lock (upper portion with key) . For a few $ more and a few weeks wait, you can get one with a new key that matches the rest of the car.

 

I had the same problem: Key turns but latch won't open...It turns out that the Pawl that engages the plastic latch was broken off...I had gotten another hatch because mine was bent. I took the latch from both hatches apart and swapped out the broken part. I put my key cylinder in the 'New Latch' and everything was OK..Then I found out that the plastic locking piece was worn to the point where it would just barely engage...Instead of taking everything apart (again!) I cut a slot in the 'nose' of the piece and cut a piece from a Nylon R/C aircraft steerable nose gear block and glued that into the slot..(See Pics) So far it works real good. when the Nylon insert wears down, I'll make another one from the remains of the nose gear block....

'Carl Goldberg' nose gear mount..About $1.49 at the local hobby shop

Nose gear mount 3/16th thick Nylon
It may not be "kosher', but it works...Not the first time my R/C building skills have helped me with my 928..LOL

Nylon insert I made to fix the worn latch

Side view of the Nylon insert

Nylon steerable nose gear mount, left hand side was cut off to fix my latch.

 

cool fix
sometimes you just need a new (stiffer spring) in the relese ****

 

1987 with alarm. Electronic hatch mechanism operates with switches, but never would unlatch the hatch - only the key would.

Thinking it was the upper plastic latch pawl, I ordered a new one, disassembled to install only to realize I ordered the wrong one (non-alarm one). Reassembled with the old pawl. After testing that the key opened the latch (hatch open) I closed the hatch. Key does not open it anymore. Hatch is frozen closed.

Removed the latch motor, and drilled a hole in the support bracket on the body near the top. I can get a screw driver in the hole above the rotating latch release lever, and can see the plastic pawl, but any amount of force on it, and it doesn't budge. I even had the wife down push downward pressure on the hatch while I pushed the screwdriver with all my might. No luck; I put a vise grip on the spring loaded hatch release piston to release the upward force on the hatch from the spring. Nothing

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

 

sounds like your main problem is in the lower portion of the latch.
I was able to open mine by putting a large (not huge) screwdriver into the latch from inside the car and pushing down on the handle (without any huge force).
Be sure to put it all the way in. After first success, it will be easy.