Rear Hatch Won't Open
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,073
Likes: 8
From: Houston TX
Rear Hatch Won't Open
I just tried to pop the hatch on my 96 and it won't release. I tried both buttons as well as the remote. I can hear a clicking noise, maybe a solenoid, coming from around the latch.
What's the deal?
What's the deal?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 412
From: WV
If you climb into the back of the car and reach up under the rear plastic trim at the place where the latch is you will find a wire with a loop in it. Pull this wire and the rear hatch will open..This is the manual release for the hatch, then you will have access to check it out and see why its not operating correctly..WW
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,073
Likes: 8
From: Houston TX
OK, I played with it some more. I lubricated the latch, but it didn't seem to do any good. It seems to work consistently when I put downward pressure on the hatch.
Also, I can hear a quiet clicking, but even with the hatch open the loud clicking you normally hear is intermittent.
Is it the relay or solenoid or something else that is wearing out?
Also, I can hear a quiet clicking, but even with the hatch open the loud clicking you normally hear is intermittent.
Is it the relay or solenoid or something else that is wearing out?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
Likes: 147
From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
It's the solenoid. The solenoid coil is subject to vibration and resonance, and the little paper insulation inside the solenid housing wears thin, and the coil shorts out to the case. It makes noise, but has little strength to pull the latch.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,073
Likes: 8
From: Houston TX
Well, there's a whole lot more resonance with my Borla exhaust than there used to be. Thanks for the detailed explanation...
There's a used C4 parts guy here in town. I guess I will have to go see him.
There's a used C4 parts guy here in town. I guess I will have to go see him.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,073
Likes: 8
From: Houston TX
Yay! After getting a replacement off of a fellow forum member for a very good deal, I went to replace the solenoid and found that the electrical plug was loose on the original unit. I snugged up the plug and everything is OK. Not only that, but now I have an extra one to add to the parts collection! 
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