SimonC

Excuse this newbie question, its as bad as asking where the battery is (which was my very first question on Rennlist) ...

I keep reading on the list about the remote rear hatch opener, but can''t for the life of me find one in the car. I really wish I had one, so I hope that someone will tell me that its there after all.

Is there one on the 1980 Euro S?

SimonC

Nicole

Checking my brochures, I cannot see one on any model up to 1982, but I CAN see it on the 1984 and later models. I'm not sure about the 1983; it could be a fader or hatch release **** I'm seeing there.

Hope this helps.

SimonC

OK. Then I am not going mad, but I sure do miss not being able to open the hatch from inside.

The 1984S model is beginning to look very attractive :-)

Dave928S

There isn't one on my 82 euro S ... and mine is a late 82 with lots of 83 parts/options, so I don't believe it would be on the 83 either. I also haven't seen the release on any other early cars that I've looked at/worked on. The fader control is likely to be what Nicole was seeing on brochures, as that is what is on all the early cars alongside the headlight adjustment.
I've not searched for the info but I'm wondering if the later release mechanism could be fitted to the early cars ... can't see why not. Maybe someone has researched that option or BTDT and can chime in.

JET951

Hi Simon , it was from the 1984 "E" model year onwards .

Regards
Bruce Buchanan

SimonC

Thanks for the info Dave. Would be great if someone has updated their cars and can say if its worth doing. I have a 1986 944 (which I am going to sell), and just love the button that opens the hatch. I will miss it - but there again, I'm getting something like twice the engine in return.

SimonC

Dave928S

He may not have done it but Bruce (Jet951) would probably know if it could be done.

JET951

Hi Dave , I thought Simon asked does his 1980s have a remote rear hatch release ? .

Now are you asking can it be retro fitted to a 928 1978-1983 year types ? ,if so the answer is yes it can be done if one wants to , you just need a new lower catch / receiver ( 928 512 055 20), new or secondhand electric motor ( 928 624 407 02 ) + support bracket ( 928 624 049 00) , + a switch and just wire it up .
The original upper lock ( in the rear hatch) must be in good order with no hairline cracks .

Regards
Bruce Buchanan

SimonC

hi Bruce,

Well the discussion started there, but evolved into finding a way of retro-fitting.

Great! Another one for the to-do list.
Anyone have a picture of the switch and its position?


SimonC

p.s. Love the rear quarter image of your 944. A great photo!

Dave928S

That's true ... but Simons comment that the 84 was looking very attractive due to it having a hatch release, prompted me to suggest that a retro fit would probably be a viable option. Easier and cheaper than swapping to an 84 just to get the longed for hatch release too

I knew you'd have the answer Bruce ... thanks

Simon now won't have to sell his 80 and buy an 84

shmark

'83 has a stereo fader **** in that location but no remote release, only '84 and newer. But my fader still works great!

tlsmith1999

There is another option when retro fitting a release into an older car. You can get a trunk release switch from a 944 that has a picture of the trunk popping open, and mount it in the space between the windows switches. Then you will need a release motor and the lower receiver from a later car. I have these parts waiting to go into my 78, but haven't found the time. I haven't worked up the wiring yet, but I figure you can use the wiring diagram from later cars to work it out. There are some tricks to the wiring since the release only works when a door is open. You wouldn't want it to open going down the road.

Tom928

Since I have a 1981 and a 1984S, I am liking the 84S over my 81 more and more.

Some things 84S has I like better:
4.7L
4-speed auto
S-brakes
Adjustable front shocks
Front/rear spoilers
Hatch opener

Only thing I don't like on the 84S are the manhole covers.
I'm going back to 16" phone dials as soon as I can find a set at a reasonable price.

Cheers,

James Bailey

The rear hatch release was one very poor design and SELDOM works for very long. Really not worth the effort in my opinion. Everything must be in exact alignment for it to function then the metal bends on the hatch and it stops working.