Rear Hatch Pops Open
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Joined: Jul 2007
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Rear Hatch Pops Open
I have a problem. A few times a week my 96 coupe rear hatch will pop open after sitting for a few hours. It did it to me while driving in a parking lot today. You hear the latch pop as though you pushed the release button then boingggg the rear glass goes up. Also the security light will come on while driving for no clear reason. I was thinking short but why would it to it at random times while sitting in a parking lot ??
Not when hitting bumps or other vibrations that would normally trigger a symptom with a short..
Any idea's??
and yes I have already considered a priest and holy water
Not when hitting bumps or other vibrations that would normally trigger a symptom with a short..
Any idea's??
and yes I have already considered a priest and holy water
Last edited by 502SCS; Nov 13, 2007 at 10:18 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,133
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From: San Antonio Texas
I'd look at the button in the console and make sure there isn't something jammed down the edge of it or pressing on it. You should have a little play in it so that it's not "Hair trigger" to the touch. Sounds heat related. Maybe one of those buttons springs is acting like a thermostat. I had my car a month before I even knew there was another release on the back edge of the drivers door too.
Last edited by Klondike; Nov 13, 2007 at 10:40 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: CV ca
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13
I'd look at the button in the console and make sure there isn't something jammed down the edge of it or pressing on it. You should have a little play in it so that it's not "Hair trigger" to the touch. Sounds heat related. Maybe one of those buttons springs is acting like a thermostat. I had my car a month before I even knew there was another release on the back edge of the drivers door too.
I have a release on both the driver and passenger doors.Check your wiring/connections at the back of your switches. Also see if any of your switches feel different. you could also disconnect all but one switch, if the problem goes away you know it's one of the other switches. Connect them back up, one at a time, to locate the failing switch. If the problem is still there, disconnect that switch, connect one of the other ones, and so on.
Don't forget to check the wiring/connections in the doors while you have the panels off.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Peoria Arizona.. Resident Gold Cylon
You may have a passenger side door release but a 1996 does not. It only has a driverside release and a console release. It also has a release on the PKE fob.
You could also disconnect all but one switch, if the problem goes away you know it's one of the other switches. Connect them back up, one at a time, to locate the failing switch. If the problem is still there, disconnect that switch, connect one of the other ones, and so on
Last edited by Goldcylon; Nov 13, 2007 at 11:57 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: H-Town Texas
Actually I believe that all switches to the hatch are disabled while the car is in gear, or parking brake not set(m6). So, if it is opening while driving, I would not think it is switch related. Perhaps there is a problem with the latch mechanism? Maybe it is not latching completely causing it open at random times?
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Normally I would buy in to the mechanical thing. Button jammed .. Somthing laying against it and so on .. However it is too random. sometimes when driving and other times it will sit outside for 1 hour then suddenly "POP" and all the locks and lid pops open ... weird almost seems like keyless entry issue .... I dont use one .. Never got the fob... have had car for 6 years...
Also keyless entry light comes on at odd times
Also keyless entry light comes on at odd times
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: H-Town Texas
By mechanical, I meant the latch itself. It's like the latch on any trunk. I have seen those situations before, but those were older cars. But as far the light goes, unless the latch not being fully engaged triggers the light switch, I don't know. Try the battery disconnect, maybe that will help. Or you can always go get a new fob from Chevrolet. Question, when you put your key in the ingnition and turn to run w/o starting, do you see the "passive keyless entry" light? In mine its on the bottom left. If it is on, then your PKE is activited. Does this make any difference? I do not know. Just a thought about random signals going through the air activating it. But if your driving, I don't know if these could make it do this or not. If it is electrical, the short would have to be in or after the safety device that prevents it from opening when the car is running.? That is getting into a vast territory of which I have no knowledge.
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Le Mans Master
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From: H-Town Texas
You should never see it while you are driving. There is something wrong then and I couldn't tell you where to even start with this one.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Syracuse Utah
Although this problem is uncommon, it does happen more than it should. My car has done it twice in four years, once on the freeway, and I don't even have the keyless entry fob. I'm thinking stray radio signals are triggering it, so the best fix may be to pull the fuse on the hatch; I never open mine anyway as it tends to rip the weatherstripping. Mine has always been fine after I disconnect the battery and reset.
Safety Car
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From: Biloxi MS Theres something happenin' here, What it is ain't exactly clear.....
My 96 was doing this last year.
Riding down the road the door locks would cycle and the rear hatch would open. PKE light flashing the whole time.
I reset the PKE a few times and it would go away for a bit.
Then return.
So I eventually just removed the FOB from the car.
It stopped.
But now I have to use the key to enter the vehicle.
Another Forum member had the same problem and it went away with a new FOB battery in his case.
Riding down the road the door locks would cycle and the rear hatch would open. PKE light flashing the whole time.
I reset the PKE a few times and it would go away for a bit.
Then return.
So I eventually just removed the FOB from the car.
It stopped.
But now I have to use the key to enter the vehicle.
Another Forum member had the same problem and it went away with a new FOB battery in his case.
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Funny I have never had the FOB for my car.. Only this goofy problem.
Also air controls hang up. wont turn off then few moments later hit the botton and bingo it works .. I must have some strange stuff behind the dash going on ! Oh well other than being quirky it is a fun car for 133k miles ..
Also air controls hang up. wont turn off then few moments later hit the botton and bingo it works .. I must have some strange stuff behind the dash going on ! Oh well other than being quirky it is a fun car for 133k miles ..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Sebastian Florida
St. Jude Donor '06
It sounds like a short, you need to find the wiring diagram and then trace it down. Could be as simple as a cracked wire getting grounded or a broken button.
Take off the cover of the A/C and you will see the contacts, take some alcohol and a cotton swab and clean the contacts.
Take off the cover of the A/C and you will see the contacts, take some alcohol and a cotton swab and clean the contacts.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2007
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It sounds like a short, you need to find the wiring diagram and then trace it down. Could be as simple as a cracked wire getting grounded or a broken button.
Take off the cover of the A/C and you will see the contacts, take some alcohol and a cotton swab and clean the contacts.
Take off the cover of the A/C and you will see the contacts, take some alcohol and a cotton swab and clean the contacts.
Good to have it back and off the 2 wheeler for the I-4 commute ! Dodging cars in traffic is better with a cage around me
Le Mans Master
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From: Irvine Ca
