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Hatch help please.

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Old Feb 20, 2012 | 06:03 PM
  #1  
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Default Hatch help please.

(Before I begin, I want you all to know I tried SEARCHING, but could not find what Im looking for).

Thank You in advance for looking.

As some of you may know, I have a 1985 vette that has been modified to look like a 96 GS.

I am having an issue opening the hatch. I try the opener on the driver side door, and the one in the center console and they both act the same. I can hear the actuator clicking, however the hatch will not open.

I have tried having someone work the button while I physically bump the hatch glass up and down, however I am scared to force it (I dont want to break it).

It sound to me like the actuator is weak, or maybe the glass may have closed funny on the weather stripping (which in places is loose)....

I dont mind swapping out the latch, or doing whatever I need to, but I was hoping someone here could tell me is there a manual release, or way I can manipulate the latch to open the hatch so that I can figure it out.

At 6'4" and 270 lbs, climbing into the rear area is a chore, so I figured I would come to you all for some direction before I go in aimlessly.

Again, THANK YOU in ADVANCE.
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Old Feb 20, 2012 | 06:28 PM
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Just had the same issue with my 93. I'm not sure just how your car is but I'm sure you have a manual release. On my car it was behind the carpet just under the glass where the latch is. That will release the hatch and then you can get in there to replace the solenoid. My car did the same thing when the button was pushed so I knew it had power back there. I found a solenoid on e-bay and it was a easy swap.
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Old Feb 20, 2012 | 06:28 PM
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Sounds like the latch is sticking or solenoid is jamming.
Keep the hatch open and close the latch with a srewdriver and see if its releasing.
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Old Feb 20, 2012 | 06:40 PM
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Originally Posted by mrmtrtrnd
Just had the same issue with my 93. I'm not sure just how your car is but I'm sure you have a manual release. On my car it was behind the carpet just under the glass where the latch is. That will release the hatch and then you can get in there to replace the solenoid. My car did the same thing when the button was pushed so I knew it had power back there. I found a solenoid on e-bay and it was a easy swap.
Awesome... thank you. Any chance you or anyone else here has a pic....

Originally Posted by allautomotive
Sounds like the latch is sticking or solenoid is jamming.
Keep the hatch open and close the latch with a srewdriver and see if its releasing.





Thank you both, had no idea about the manual release.
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Old Feb 20, 2012 | 07:06 PM
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If you're going to try to force it, give it a little bump from the inside, don't jack with the weather stripping or try to pry it.
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Old Feb 20, 2012 | 07:09 PM
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Originally Posted by Jon Hekking
If you're going to try to force it, give it a little bump from the inside, don't jack with the weather stripping or try to pry it.
Thank you Jon.
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Old Feb 20, 2012 | 07:18 PM
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it's likely the solenoid cable has snapped, here is a guy on ebay with a used one.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Corvette-rea...-/160738923056
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Old Feb 20, 2012 | 08:02 PM
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Originally Posted by 2fas2c
it's likely the solenoid cable has snapped, here is a guy on ebay with a used one.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Corvette-rea...-/160738923056
Would that cause the solenoid to sound weaker though? I guess I could see that, but my initial thought was that it would be louder with NO load.
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Old Feb 21, 2012 | 02:16 AM
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There is a relay that operates the hatch solenoid. You could be hearing the relay.

There is a steel cable that attaches to the latch and is hidden near it. It is up under the security shade near the shade handle. I had a solenoid fail a few years ago and had to use the cable to open the hatch to fix it. Find the cable and pull it to release the hatch. Mine was very hard to release and I had to grab the cable with pliers to pull it.

Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I'll save myself some typing:

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Old Feb 21, 2012 | 03:55 AM
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Originally Posted by Cliff Harris
Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I'll save myself some typing:

One of those times the digital age pays off in spades!!
Perfect picture!
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Old Feb 21, 2012 | 07:37 AM
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Originally Posted by Cliff Harris
There is a relay that operates the hatch solenoid. You could be hearing the relay.

Hatch relay is on drv side of latch behind carpet
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Old Feb 21, 2012 | 08:20 AM
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This is a little out there, but make sure none of the three hatch buttons are stuck (the third one is in the passenger side door).
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Old Feb 21, 2012 | 01:17 PM
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Originally Posted by j3studio
This is a little out there, but make sure none of the three hatch buttons are stuck (the third one is in the passenger side door).
WHAT!!! I have one on the passenger side also???? HAHA, Im gonna have to check it out.
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Old Feb 21, 2012 | 01:18 PM
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Originally Posted by Cliff Harris
There is a relay that operates the hatch solenoid. You could be hearing the relay.

There is a steel cable that attaches to the latch and is hidden near it. It is up under the security shade near the shade handle. I had a solenoid fail a few years ago and had to use the cable to open the hatch to fix it. Find the cable and pull it to release the hatch. Mine was very hard to release and I had to grab the cable with pliers to pull it.

Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I'll save myself some typing:



THIS IS PERFECT!!! thank You very much!
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Old Feb 21, 2012 | 01:55 PM
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Originally Posted by popo8
WHAT!!! I have one on the passenger side also???? HAHA, Im gonna have to check it out.
Only on early C4s, but, yes, that includes you.

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Old Feb 21, 2012 | 10:05 PM
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Originally Posted by j3studio
Only on early C4s, but, yes, that includes you.


LOL, well I went out and took a look for hatch releases. I can not find one on the passenger side door... at least not in the same location it is on the driver side door...




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Old Feb 22, 2012 | 03:06 AM
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My '86 has a hatch release switch on the passenger side door (same relative position). That one was eliminated, but I don't know what year.
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Old Feb 22, 2012 | 10:50 AM
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Originally Posted by Cliff Harris
My '86 has a hatch release switch on the passenger side door (same relative position). That one was eliminated, but I don't know what year.
Maybe when the newer (believed to be 96) interior was installed, it was deleted accordingly.....
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Old Feb 22, 2012 | 11:40 AM
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If I remember right 91 was the last year for it.
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Old May 4, 2012 | 10:50 PM
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Phewwww... finally dug around in there, and got a pair of vice on the cable.... Let me tell you... BACK INJURY+CORVETTE+6'4"+260 lbs= HARD TO WORK ON....

For now, there is a pair of vice hanging off the cable... the electic release is poping loud again, but not enough to open the window... so....
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