Back Hatch problems

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Aug 12, 2004 | 09:01 AM

Pioneer

Thread Starter

Intermediate

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 42

Likes: 0

From: Dallas Georgia

Back Hatch problems

The only problem that I experience with my 94 is "popping" the back hatch. Some days it will open, but it will not in most cases, either with the remote or the door control.

Is there a manual release or am I stuck with an electrical problem?

Thanks for any help you can provide!

Aug 12, 2004 | 09:43 AM

F1Fan

Drifting

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 1,477

Likes: 87

Here's my .02. If it doesn't 'pop' itself out of the lock, then it's a spring in the latch assembly you likely need to replace. If it does pop up from the latch, but just sits back down on it, your hatch struts are worn out.

Edit: Hmmm, not sure I've answered the question you asked...
Is the main problem that the latch is just not releasing?

fwiw, I'm not aware of a manual release for it. Do some snooping around for loose/damaged wiring there.

Last edited by F1Fan; Aug 12, 2004 at 09:48 AM.

Aug 12, 2004 | 10:22 AM

ShawnZR-1

Race Director

Joined: Oct 2001

Posts: 12,832

Likes: 209

From: Canton GA

Cruise-In III Veteran

Cruise-In IV Veteran

Cruise-In VI Veteran

St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'10-'11-'12

There is a manual release for the hatch. Feel around the luggage shade for a thin wire, I think it's near the drivers side of the car. Take a look in the manual to be sure though.

In general, you are looking at some sort of electrical problem. Could be the solenoid but the way you are describing it, it could be anything.

BTW, the manual release is in case the solenoid completely stops working, you can still open the hatch.

Aug 12, 2004 | 11:15 AM

Pioneer

Thread Starter

Intermediate

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 42

Likes: 0

From: Dallas Georgia

Thanks

I appreciate the info about the manual release.

To the first reply, I probably wasn't very clear on the problem. There is no "pop" at all when I try to activate either the remote or door control.

What seems to be odd is the fact that it works part of the time. The same for the auto door lock. At times, when parked in various locations, it works better than other times.

Who knew?

Aug 12, 2004 | 11:51 PM

vettebldr1

Racer

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 271

Likes: 0

From: Sacramento CA

I agree about the manual release, it's a cable that is probably hiding under the rear deck trim. As for the 'popping' problem, or not popping I should say. You most likely have a short somewhere, or a bad ground; start looking in your door since the rest of the car is fiberglass. You probably have condensation build up somewhere. Try that and let me know if it helps.

Aug 13, 2004 | 04:40 AM

Midnite 88

Drifting

Joined: Nov 2000

Posts: 1,428

Likes: 1

From: Jacksonville FL

My hatch release did the same thing for about a month. (I have to get in the hatch area at least 2X a day.) The solenoid finally went completely out. I found a used one on e-bay for ~$20.00. So far I have had good luck with the used one.

BTW: '84-96 all use the same solenoid.

Mike.

Aug 13, 2004 | 07:14 AM

Casper

Le Mans Master

Joined: Mar 1999

Posts: 7,996

Likes: 0

From: McAlester Oklahoma

Are you on level ground when it does work?

Aug 13, 2004 | 09:51 PM

mikey whipreck

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 3,032

Likes: 4

in my 85, the manual release cable is right below the handle for the shade... It's a cable about 3 or 4 inches long. I only found it when i took apart the rear deck trim.