Hatch back Stuck
Zen Vet Master Level VII
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 5,218
Likes: 1,174
From: Southlake, TX
We need a little more information.
Year of car helps a lot. Have you tried all the latch release switches? Have you checked the fuses?
What lead up the the hatch not working?
Year of car helps a lot. Have you tried all the latch release switches? Have you checked the fuses?
What lead up the the hatch not working?
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Always a good idea to mention the year of the car. That helps to aid in any problem you may have.
When you push on any of the hatch release buttons, do you hear any sort of clicking sound by the release mechanism? Besides a possible bad switch, it could be a blown fuse or a bad release relay.
You can open the hatch without using the electrical release. Looking at the back of the hatch from inside the car, there will be a short piece of wire (about 6" long) just to the left of the hatch centerline tucked behind the carpeting. You should be able to pull on that wire and the hatch will open. You may need to get a friend to gently push down on the outside of the hatch glass near the two round trim pieces.
Once the hatch is open you can remove the trim and access the hatch mechanism and the relay.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
There are interlocking circuits (depending on the year) that control whether or not the hatch opens.
On pre-'90 cars the switch on the door is grounded through the courtesy light delay module. The door must be open (interior lights on) to open the hatch with the door switches.
The center console button is grounded through the emergency brake handle on manual trans cars and through the starter solenoid on auto trans cars. The emergency brake must be on to open the hatch on manual trans cars. The auto cars won't allow the hatch to open if the starter is cranking...;-)
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 504
Likes: 82
From: Melbourne Victoria
Mine sometimes gets stuck to the weather seal, especially if I have not used it for a while, I have to lift it up with my fingers while someone presses the button.
My struts are a bit on the weak side too.
My struts are a bit on the weak side too.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Replacing the struts will be a big help too. I replaced both struts on my old '87 and when I released the hatch, it popped up a good 6"
The old struts didn't move the glass at all.
