Rear hatch help
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2007
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Rear hatch help
I have a 96 coupe and the rear hatch will not open. The button on the door has been sporatic in the last month but the console release worked. Well this last week end neither worked. It looks like there is a manual release in the back center of the window, but it will not release to open the rear hatch.
What can I do to get the rear hatch to open and why will neither release button work?
What can I do to get the rear hatch to open and why will neither release button work?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,043
Likes: 8
From: Tampa Florida
Maybe loose/or grounded wires, or the solenoid might have a problem (wet or worn out) or the BCM is going bad.
Check to see if solenoid works: find the wires that go to the solenoid and apply the proper voltage....and bingo you know if the problem is with the hatch solenoid, BCM or other wiring/connector issue.
Check to see if solenoid works: find the wires that go to the solenoid and apply the proper voltage....and bingo you know if the problem is with the hatch solenoid, BCM or other wiring/connector issue.
CF JASOC Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,040
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From: Downtown Annapolis, MD. The Future is where we all have to live. Let's not screw it up.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
If you look up under the sun shade just to the passenger side of center you'll see a short length of wire that you can grab (pliers are helpful) and pull and this will manually pop the hatch.
Mine did the same thing over time. Can you hear the relay clicking when you push the release buttons? If so, the relay should be fine.
I had to replace the solenoid on my '88, and haven't had a problem since. Took about 45 minutes. Make sure you mark the position of the old solenoid for proper placement of the new one.
Mine did the same thing over time. Can you hear the relay clicking when you push the release buttons? If so, the relay should be fine.
I had to replace the solenoid on my '88, and haven't had a problem since. Took about 45 minutes. Make sure you mark the position of the old solenoid for proper placement of the new one.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,043
Likes: 8
From: Tampa Florida
Bad relay or no power to the relay........ BCM or other wiring/connector issue.
Check for power at the relay -- if you have power to energise the replace the relay. If no power -- trace wires and look for shorts or opens in the wire.....reseat/ clean all connectors.
Check for power at the relay -- if you have power to energise the replace the relay. If no power -- trace wires and look for shorts or opens in the wire.....reseat/ clean all connectors.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 3,261
Likes: 9
From: sonoma ca
I believe the relay is located under the rear trim panel next to the lock bracket. This is from the 95 FSM, but I think their probably the same.
Anyway, I assume you were able to open the hatch using the emergency release cable.
You will have to remove the rear trim panel to access the solenoid. There is a handle that is used to secure the top when it's stowed in the rear. It shud be pried off carefully as they are know to take flight or break into little pieces.
I suggest you purchase the FSM for your 96. It will save you a lot of time & frustration.
Anyway, I assume you were able to open the hatch using the emergency release cable.
You will have to remove the rear trim panel to access the solenoid. There is a handle that is used to secure the top when it's stowed in the rear. It shud be pried off carefully as they are know to take flight or break into little pieces.
I suggest you purchase the FSM for your 96. It will save you a lot of time & frustration.
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,327
Likes: 5
From: 2010 C6 Grand Sport Convertible
I have a 96 coupe and the rear hatch will not open. The button on the door has been sporatic in the last month but the console release worked. Well this last week end neither worked. It looks like there is a manual release in the back center of the window, but it will not release to open the rear hatch.
What can I do to get the rear hatch to open and why will neither release button work?
What can I do to get the rear hatch to open and why will neither release button work?
If you can't pop the hatch with the cable, its more than the relay or switch.
Mike
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2007
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I will try looking it over tomorrow. My wife drove it to work today while I took some vacation time. I have not tried to manually open it yet and I will let you know what I find. Thanks for the help. I have a 84-96 repair manual and read through all of it last night and could find nothing about the rear hatch except for removal and replacing the hydrolic strut and hinges. What is he FSM???
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,551
Likes: 36
From: Jenks OK
Factory service manual printed by Helm, it is the official GM repair manual on the car. Goes into detail about every part of it, see if you can find one on an auction site or you can order a replacement from Helm. The thing that looks like a release in the middle is probably the latch which holds the roof in place when you have it in the hatch. Usually the release cable is just under the carpet, you might have to climb back there and root between the molding and carpet a bit.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2007
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OK I got the latch out and checked the solenoid and it worked. I could not find the relay unless it is the piece that has a plunger on it. What is that piece? I did not check it for shorts.
I checked the fuse and it was good too.
I checked the fuse and it was good too.
