95 Hatchback window does not open
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 47
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From: Raleigh NC
95 Hatchback window does not open
Can anybody let me know if there is a different way (almost something like an emergency hatch release) to open the hatchback window on my 95 C4 besides using the electric buttons on the driver side door or the center storage compartment? I changed the weather seals out a couple of weeks ago, which made it very hard to close the hatch after the install. The hatch window locks so tight against the seal now that both the left and right side of the glass actually both pivot up a little as the lock in the center of the window catches the hatch hinge. I almost think that the weather seal was not molded correctly, but that does not matter anymore now. I can hear a slight, sounds like a relay, clicking sound when I push either of the two "Open" buttons, but the actual hatch lock does not open or is being activated by the push buttons. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Andy
Andy
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just right of center, under the far rear plastic trim, there's an emergency pull wire - might be something in your owners manual about it.
here's a pic of my steel blue 90 with a little mod I did - crimp lug and a key ring.
here's a pic of my steel blue 90 with a little mod I did - crimp lug and a key ring.
Last edited by Joe C; Apr 26, 2014 at 02:49 PM.
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Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Safety Car
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From: SANTA CRUZ CA
The wire is typically tucked up below the pull-out cover and will be slightly to the left as you look at the rear. The wire will only come out about 3-4" or so. It's a good idea to terminate the end like Joe C has done. Makes pulling on the wire much easier if it becomes necessary. Hard enough to get back there in the first place...
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Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Anaheim CA
The steel cable is hard to find but it's in there somewhere. I tried to pull it with my hand but couldn't. I had to grab it with pliers to get a good grip on it (which is why Joe C put the key ring on it). If somebody pushes down on the hatch it's easier to open.
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That's easy to say but impossible to do when the hatch is closed. That said, on my car it's impossible to get to the screws, but I have the older one piece surround. I know in later years they broke it into 3 pieces, so maybe it's possible.
The steel cable is hard to find but it's in there somewhere. I tried to pull it with my hand but couldn't. I had to grab it with pliers to get a good grip on it (which is why Joe C put the key ring on it). If somebody pushes down on the hatch it's easier to open.
The steel cable is hard to find but it's in there somewhere. I tried to pull it with my hand but couldn't. I had to grab it with pliers to get a good grip on it (which is why Joe C put the key ring on it). If somebody pushes down on the hatch it's easier to open.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 196
Likes: 4
From: Keego Harbor MI
I had same problem with my 86, I had a buddy press down on glass while I pressed release. It took enough pressure off to allow it to open. Good Luck
On a different note. I also rigged a wire to mine. One other issue I had was hood release broke, was a PITA to get open. I made emergency pulls with wire. You can see how on uTube. just FYI
On a different note. I also rigged a wire to mine. One other issue I had was hood release broke, was a PITA to get open. I made emergency pulls with wire. You can see how on uTube. just FYI
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 72
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From: Anaheim California
Cannot open hatch on 1995
I really doubt I will be able to get back there but I am going to give it a try so from the inside of the car it would be the drivers side after reading the posts. I dont recall seeing it but I wasnt looking either. So If I find it of course I will do what was suggested and attach something to it. Anyone know why this happens? The one on the side of the door has been out for a while would like to fix that. The center console obviously just went out so its always when you need something in back there. So whats worse case scenario if I cannot find wire that is spoke of? Any suggestions on how to get the side door fixed also would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Thanks!
That's easy to say but impossible to do when the hatch is closed. That said, on my car it's impossible to get to the screws, but I have the older one piece surround. I know in later years they broke it into 3 pieces, so maybe it's possible.
The steel cable is hard to find but it's in there somewhere. I tried to pull it with my hand but couldn't. I had to grab it with pliers to get a good grip on it (which is why Joe C put the key ring on it). If somebody pushes down on the hatch it's easier to open.
The steel cable is hard to find but it's in there somewhere. I tried to pull it with my hand but couldn't. I had to grab it with pliers to get a good grip on it (which is why Joe C put the key ring on it). If somebody pushes down on the hatch it's easier to open.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 72
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From: Anaheim California
Yeah still recovering from surgery but I will get back there
I am going to have to wait a little on this until I heal a little more. It's so frustrating though. I can see the car from here and I sooooo want to get back there but then I will end up back in the hospital. Why do the switches on the side of the door go out? Anyone know? Is it a fuse? Cant be that easy no can it?
I really doubt I will be able to get back there but I am going to give it a try so from the inside of the car it would be the drivers side after reading the posts. I dont recall seeing it but I wasnt looking either. So If I find it of course I will do what was suggested and attach something to it. Anyone know why this happens? The one on the side of the door has been out for a while would like to fix that. The center console obviously just went out so its always when you need something in back there. So whats worse case scenario if I cannot find wire that is spoke of? Any suggestions on how to get the side door fixed also would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I am going to have to wait a little on this until I heal a little more. It's so frustrating though. I can see the car from here and I sooooo want to get back there but then I will end up back in the hospital. Why do the switches on the side of the door go out? Anyone know? Is it a fuse? Cant be that easy no can it?
Can you ask a friend to crawl back there and grab the wire?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 47
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From: Raleigh NC
I was the one who started this thread when I was not able to open the hatch on my 95 due to a bad relay within the hatch locking mechanism. I was able to locate and pull the release wire to open the hatch in less then 5 minutes. (This was after I found out from a reply by Joe C above in this thread about the wire and the wire's locations). I'm not saying that it was easy at 6'2" / 225 lbs to get to the wire, but I managed. I was lucky when I located a used fully functioning hatch locking mechanism assembly over eBay for $20.00, which fixed my issue. It took me about 10 minutes to change the hatch locking mechanism out.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2012
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From: Anaheim California
Yeah I am going to have to get a friend to do it
Fuse would be wonderful could it be that simple? Thanks!
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2017
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Joe thanks so much this worked like a charm... Found the wire under the cover to the left of the finger pull for the cover from the inside... Outside to the right of cover pull...
Last edited by Rourk; Mar 19, 2017 at 05:10 PM. Reason: additional input