Odd hatch release question
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 715
Likes: 0
From: Warner Robins GA
Odd hatch release question
Hey guys,
My 88 has been sitting for several months while I was away for school. Prior to sitting, my rear hatch released on cue all the time, every time when pushing the buttons on the door.
Now however, when I push the button on the door the rear hatch does not open every time. When it fails to open, there's no click sound like it's trying to open. Since I'm the driver of the car, I typically try to open it on the driver side. If I have a passenger open the passenger side door, the driver side door hatch release starts working instantly. The same scenario occurs on the passenger side.. it usually won't open, but if the driver side door opens the hatch release on the passenger side starts working.
I should mention that a few months to parking my car, I replaced the hatch release solenoid because it broke one day when I closed the hatch.
Has anyone experienced this? Is it more likely that I got a bad solenoid and should simply replace it again, or has something happened to my wiring while the car was sitting?
My 88 has been sitting for several months while I was away for school. Prior to sitting, my rear hatch released on cue all the time, every time when pushing the buttons on the door.
Now however, when I push the button on the door the rear hatch does not open every time. When it fails to open, there's no click sound like it's trying to open. Since I'm the driver of the car, I typically try to open it on the driver side. If I have a passenger open the passenger side door, the driver side door hatch release starts working instantly. The same scenario occurs on the passenger side.. it usually won't open, but if the driver side door opens the hatch release on the passenger side starts working.
I should mention that a few months to parking my car, I replaced the hatch release solenoid because it broke one day when I closed the hatch.
Has anyone experienced this? Is it more likely that I got a bad solenoid and should simply replace it again, or has something happened to my wiring while the car was sitting?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,285
Likes: 51
From: Jacksonville, FL
St. Jude Donor '08 thru '26
I hate wiring issues!
Hi,
How about removing the hatch solenoid and use a test light at the terminal ends of the wiring to the solenoid and then go & trigger the switches to see if the signal is getting thru consistantly??? If you get a signal at every try then it might be okay to figure the switches & wiring from the switches is okay???
I'm no electrical guy but it seems to me that maybe with the solenoid out you could test it too....apply 12v & see how consistantly it operates??
Sorry, I wish I had something to point at for you.
Tom
How about removing the hatch solenoid and use a test light at the terminal ends of the wiring to the solenoid and then go & trigger the switches to see if the signal is getting thru consistantly??? If you get a signal at every try then it might be okay to figure the switches & wiring from the switches is okay???
I'm no electrical guy but it seems to me that maybe with the solenoid out you could test it too....apply 12v & see how consistantly it operates??
Sorry, I wish I had something to point at for you.
Tom
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,285
Likes: 51
From: Jacksonville, FL
St. Jude Donor '08 thru '26
I forgot!
Jez I'm sorry I forgot this point!
I believe that there is a "saftey" so we can't open the hatch unless.....the rest I don't remember. It's in the owner's manual. The only switches I use are my door switches, the console switch doesn't fall to hand for me, the door switches do.
sorry for my senior moment!
Tom
I believe that there is a "saftey" so we can't open the hatch unless.....the rest I don't remember. It's in the owner's manual. The only switches I use are my door switches, the console switch doesn't fall to hand for me, the door switches do.
sorry for my senior moment!
Tom
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,324
Likes: 250
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Maybe something with the light timer, door switches. I had a quick look at the schematic and with more than just a switch involved, anything is possible. 
http://members.shaw.ca/agent86/Hatch%20Release.pdf
http://members.shaw.ca/agent86/Hatch%20Release.pdf
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 16,838
Likes: 341
From: Database Error Indiana
The contacts in door switches tend to get corroded if not used. I think you spray cleaner in them to get them going. Did you try the switch in the glove box when the door switch fails ?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 715
Likes: 0
From: Warner Robins GA
Thanks for the replies guys.
I haven't yet tried the console switch, but I'll test that today. I guess that should be a pretty good indicator of whether I should start at the door switches or the solenoid.
I haven't yet tried the console switch, but I'll test that today. I guess that should be a pretty good indicator of whether I should start at the door switches or the solenoid.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 715
Likes: 0
From: Warner Robins GA
I figured I'd post the diagnosis, for anyone who might be searching in the future.
It was very easy. The little door button that detects whether the door is open or closed had gotten a bit dirty. As a result, the car thought the door was closed when I pushed the hatch release button, and apparently it's smart enough to not open the hatch with the doors closed. I guess this protection isn't on the inner console hatch release, because it functioned like a champ the whole time.
If I had tried this in the dark it would have been obvious. The interior light didn't come on with the driver's side door open.
It was very easy. The little door button that detects whether the door is open or closed had gotten a bit dirty. As a result, the car thought the door was closed when I pushed the hatch release button, and apparently it's smart enough to not open the hatch with the doors closed. I guess this protection isn't on the inner console hatch release, because it functioned like a champ the whole time.
If I had tried this in the dark it would have been obvious. The interior light didn't come on with the driver's side door open.
