Bottom Line on stuck hatch??
05-27-2014, 11:24 AM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Bottom Line on stuck hatch??
91' 928 S4
My key has never worked correctly in hatch and relied on releases.
Hatch is stuck down and motor turns but it won't release.
I've plowed through the threads on this and it seems the only solution is to crawl in back, remove toolkit and drill a 1/4 inch hole in sheet metal center so that a small screwdriver can be pushed in to release the hatch lever.
I don't mind doing that but can't tell exactly where I am supposed to drill.
Any help or alternative ideas appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
PS- once I open I'll see about addressing causes!!
My key has never worked correctly in hatch and relied on releases.
Hatch is stuck down and motor turns but it won't release.
I've plowed through the threads on this and it seems the only solution is to crawl in back, remove toolkit and drill a 1/4 inch hole in sheet metal center so that a small screwdriver can be pushed in to release the hatch lever.
I don't mind doing that but can't tell exactly where I am supposed to drill.
Any help or alternative ideas appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
PS- once I open I'll see about addressing causes!!
05-27-2014, 12:05 PM
#2
Rennlist Member
Crawl in back, remove tool tray, and use a small screwdriver to move plastic release for hatch. Does key not turn? If not turning perhaps the lock has been replaced (very common as housing tends to break on alarm part) when this happens (when open look for thin crack ) Most are replaced with one from earlier model car as they are much more robust.
05-27-2014, 02:22 PM
#3
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As JoeJoe says, no need to drill anything. Once the tool tray is off, you can see the hatch mechanism and it's pretty intuitive what needs to be done to release the hatch.
But first, you might try a strong upward tug on the rear spoiler, that often works to open my hatch!
-Don
But first, you might try a strong upward tug on the rear spoiler, that often works to open my hatch!
-Don
Crawl in back, remove tool tray, and use a small screwdriver to move plastic release for hatch. Does key not turn? If not turning perhaps the lock has been replaced (very common as housing tends to break on alarm part) when this happens (when open look for thin crack ) Most are replaced with one from earlier model car as they are much more robust.
05-27-2014, 03:58 PM
#4
If/when you get the hatch released get some old rags/paper towels place as needed, a can of WD 40 with the plastic straw/nozzel extension in sert in key slot and spray a bunch insert key wiggle in/out, left/right repeat. keep an eye out to where the WD, sand, gunk, grit exits and don't let it hit the carpet. this worked for my elderly 928's ...no guaranties.
Good luck, it is those little things that wear on you.
Good luck, it is those little things that wear on you.
05-27-2014, 07:00 PM
#5
Instructor
Thread Starter
Thanks all-
I did crawl back there before posting and I'm afraid its not intuitive to me at all what to push on.
After taking off the toolkit bit there is a piece of metal in the dead center blocking most all the view of the mechanism. I believe an earlier thread I had read (again, before posting) indicated that earlier cars did not have this piece blocking the view- hence the suggestion for drilling a whole.
Turning the key has never gotten proper resistance in terms of popping the lock open (since I have had the car anyway) but it does activate/deactivate the central locking for doors.........
Anyway, back to the stuck hatch!!
I did crawl back there before posting and I'm afraid its not intuitive to me at all what to push on.
After taking off the toolkit bit there is a piece of metal in the dead center blocking most all the view of the mechanism. I believe an earlier thread I had read (again, before posting) indicated that earlier cars did not have this piece blocking the view- hence the suggestion for drilling a whole.
Turning the key has never gotten proper resistance in terms of popping the lock open (since I have had the car anyway) but it does activate/deactivate the central locking for doors.........
Anyway, back to the stuck hatch!!
05-27-2014, 08:59 PM
#6
Instructor
Thread Starter
ADDENDUM:
This is the 3rd 928 I've owned and I only now figured out what the factory toolkit is to be utilized for.
It's to use when you are shoved up under the back cargo area, sweaty & flummoxed, trying to loosen, probe, pry, and adjust every potentially moveable/removable part to try and get the freaking stuck hatch open.... No luck- but one of the wrenches worked!!
This is the 3rd 928 I've owned and I only now figured out what the factory toolkit is to be utilized for.
It's to use when you are shoved up under the back cargo area, sweaty & flummoxed, trying to loosen, probe, pry, and adjust every potentially moveable/removable part to try and get the freaking stuck hatch open.... No luck- but one of the wrenches worked!!
05-28-2014, 08:29 PM
#7
Instructor
Thread Starter
Hatch Problem Resolved...
My stuck hatch is now unstuck & closes and releases properly so I thought I would follow up w list on the resolution. Excuse the wordy post for such a minor thing but...........
1) It popped open on its own when I was driving it allowing me to assess why it was getting stuck (never could get it open from inside & key has never worked)
2) Before all of this happened it initially became periodically stuck when the original receiving plastic insert began to crumble.
3) I had ordered a replacement from eBay (see pic, more on that shortly) and had previously loosened the receiving housing thinking it would make it easier to install the new insert. In the end, it was not necessary as it was maneuvered and pressed into place with a large screwdriver. It was a perfect fit BTW. It functioned perfectly the first time I hit the electronic release & popped open but then the hatch was stuck shut thereafter.
4) Anyway, that gets me to today when it popped open while driving. This allowed me to take a hard look at the upper latch. I noticed on the right side of it, the black paint had been scratched off to the metal but the rest of it was unmarked. I simply loosened the lower housing (which prob got out of alignment when I loosened to install insert) and moved it to the right slightly to avoid this contact point, then sprayed a tad of silicone spray on it for good measure, and it works absolutely perfectly (tested MANY times)!! I'll take my small victories...
For those interested, the insert is made of urethane, was a bit pricey at $27 plus $7 shipping from Benningen, Germany to be exact. Attached is what it looks like FYI
1) It popped open on its own when I was driving it allowing me to assess why it was getting stuck (never could get it open from inside & key has never worked)
2) Before all of this happened it initially became periodically stuck when the original receiving plastic insert began to crumble.
3) I had ordered a replacement from eBay (see pic, more on that shortly) and had previously loosened the receiving housing thinking it would make it easier to install the new insert. In the end, it was not necessary as it was maneuvered and pressed into place with a large screwdriver. It was a perfect fit BTW. It functioned perfectly the first time I hit the electronic release & popped open but then the hatch was stuck shut thereafter.
4) Anyway, that gets me to today when it popped open while driving. This allowed me to take a hard look at the upper latch. I noticed on the right side of it, the black paint had been scratched off to the metal but the rest of it was unmarked. I simply loosened the lower housing (which prob got out of alignment when I loosened to install insert) and moved it to the right slightly to avoid this contact point, then sprayed a tad of silicone spray on it for good measure, and it works absolutely perfectly (tested MANY times)!! I'll take my small victories...
For those interested, the insert is made of urethane, was a bit pricey at $27 plus $7 shipping from Benningen, Germany to be exact. Attached is what it looks like FYI