'88 'vert - hatch won't open
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,817
Likes: 1
From: Hartland WI
'88 'vert - hatch won't open
Just tried to pop the hatch on my '88 'vert and one side releases but the other (drivers) does not. 
Is there a manual release some where? Any ideas where to start looking? Work fine the other day when I put the top down.
Hope its not going to rain any time soon.
Thanks
Is there a manual release some where? Any ideas where to start looking? Work fine the other day when I put the top down.
Hope its not going to rain any time soon.
Thanks
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,386
Likes: 689
From: Boise ID
Sorry, I did not read your post well enough. When you said hatch I was thinking of the top 
. Yes, you may have to pull some carpet back. It's been so long long since I messed with it I can't remember. You may try having a helper push the button while you try pushing down or pulling up at the same time.
. Yes, you may have to pull some carpet back. It's been so long long since I messed with it I can't remember. You may try having a helper push the button while you try pushing down or pulling up at the same time.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,817
Likes: 1
From: Hartland WI
Originally Posted by 87SAM
You may try having a helper push the button while you try pushing down or pulling up at the same time.
Thanks
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,396
Likes: 0
From: Mickleton NJ
I had the same problem. Get a small pair of pliers , and open the latch, just grab the ear on the latch and open. You have to crawl in the back. Once it releases , if it don't pop out , try folding the top , like your going to store. You may have to adjust the pin, another great idea from Gm, Good luck Jim.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,817
Likes: 1
From: Hartland WI
Originally Posted by Jim D
Get a small pair of pliers , and open the latch, just grab the ear on the latch and open. You have to crawl in the back. Once it releases , if it don't pop out , try folding the top , like your going to store.
As far as the top goes, it's a;ready down - that's the problem, can't get the cover opened to get the top back up.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,386
Likes: 689
From: Boise ID
Just to a looked at mine. On the outer side of the latch mechanism there is a cable running towards the rear over the wheel well. It has a couple inches of exposed cable where it enters the latch where some pliers could grab a hold to release the latch. That is with the hatch open. I don’t see how you could ever have access with the hatch closed.
There are four flat head screws holding the brass colored latch ASM (item 8 on the second picture) that I think you could get to. With that removed it may allow you to pop the hatch. Good luck! Looks like a real pain in the ****!
There are four flat head screws holding the brass colored latch ASM (item 8 on the second picture) that I think you could get to. With that removed it may allow you to pop the hatch. Good luck! Looks like a real pain in the ****!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,817
Likes: 1
From: Hartland WI
Yeah!
Got it! 
Who knew - there's a manual release cable (had to dig like heck to find it though) so i was able to get her open. Once open I was able to figure out that the solinoids on each side are working so i suspect that something (the carpet I think - it looked kinda bunched up) was binding or blocking the ltach from fullly operating.
In any event - at least I won't have to drive in the rain tomorrow with my top down - I like being excentric but that looks just plain dumb.
Thanks for your help
Who knew - there's a manual release cable (had to dig like heck to find it though) so i was able to get her open. Once open I was able to figure out that the solinoids on each side are working so i suspect that something (the carpet I think - it looked kinda bunched up) was binding or blocking the ltach from fullly operating.
In any event - at least I won't have to drive in the rain tomorrow with my top down - I like being excentric but that looks just plain dumb.
Thanks for your help
