Hatch release cable?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 162
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From: Albany New York
Hatch release cable?
Hi guys, the solenoid on my hatch must be bad. When you press one of the three electronic switches you can hear the it clicking if you stick your head back there, but it wont open the glass. I've had about 10 differnet people try to pop, pry, nudge, etc. and it wont budge. Someone had said that there is an emergency relase cable underneath the carpet? I looked, and cant seem to find it, but then again I didnt look that hard. Anyone have any ideas?
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 269
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From: Newport News VA
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Originally Posted by SteveJG
Hi guys, the solenoid on my hatch must be bad. When you press one of the three electronic switches you can hear the it clicking if you stick your head back there, but it wont open the glass. I've had about 10 differnet people try to pop, pry, nudge, etc. and it wont budge. Someone had said that there is an emergency relase cable underneath the carpet? I looked, and cant seem to find it, but then again I didnt look that hard. Anyone have any ideas?
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 14,148
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From: Fremont Ca
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
The cable is back there,right by the latch.The cable is only about 6 inches long so you will have to fish around for it.If the hatch hasnt been opened in awhile it will stick to the weather stripping.
CF JASOC Member
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Downtown Annapolis, MD. The Future is where we all have to live. Let's not screw it up.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
I just replaced the solenoid on my 88 because I was tired of pulling that damn 6 inch or so cable with pliers. If you slide your fingers up under the privacy shade and above the carpet just to the left of the grab handle, you'll feel the tiny wire cable. Fish it out with one hand and grab it with pliers in the other. 
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Sussex,Wi
2023 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C3 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
Originally Posted by xccter
I just replaced the solenoid on my 88 because I was tired of pulling that damn 6 inch or so cable with pliers. If you slide your fingers up under the privacy shade and above the carpet just to the left of the grab handle, you'll feel the tiny wire cable. Fish it out with one hand and grab it with pliers in the other.
I didn't find mine until I ripped everything out of the back when I replaced the carpet.
I'm glad mine never failed.
CF JASOC Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,040
Likes: 34
From: Downtown Annapolis, MD. The Future is where we all have to live. Let's not screw it up.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
See my post above to pop the hatch with the wire. If you hear a clicking sound coming from under the trim in the back, the relay should be fine.
This is all done while standing behind the car like you're putting gas in it. After you get the solenoid, you'll have to remove the handle on the targa holddown lever by pulling straight up on it until it pops off. Then remove the 3 pieces of trim around the back. You'll see the relay taped to the wiring harness to the right of the latch. Then remove the big U bracket that the striker passes through. Mark the edges with a pencil so you know where it goes for reassembly. Remove the 4 nuts and then the round clips that hold the carpet down. Pull the carpet out of the way, and unclip the plug from the solenoid and then remove the 1 bolt that holds it to the latch mechanism. Installation is the reverse. I have a friend of 25 years that's the parts manager at the local Chevy dealer and it cost me $65 genuine GM. Boy, does he ever come in handy! You should be able to get one for $90 or so, or whatever they're going for @ Eckler's or Mid America.
This is all done while standing behind the car like you're putting gas in it. After you get the solenoid, you'll have to remove the handle on the targa holddown lever by pulling straight up on it until it pops off. Then remove the 3 pieces of trim around the back. You'll see the relay taped to the wiring harness to the right of the latch. Then remove the big U bracket that the striker passes through. Mark the edges with a pencil so you know where it goes for reassembly. Remove the 4 nuts and then the round clips that hold the carpet down. Pull the carpet out of the way, and unclip the plug from the solenoid and then remove the 1 bolt that holds it to the latch mechanism. Installation is the reverse. I have a friend of 25 years that's the parts manager at the local Chevy dealer and it cost me $65 genuine GM. Boy, does he ever come in handy! You should be able to get one for $90 or so, or whatever they're going for @ Eckler's or Mid America.
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