rear hatch wont open
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
rear hatch wont open
Ok so my battery has been disconnected for awhile, the car is apart awaiting the mad mat insulation kit. Tried to pop open the rear hatch and nothing after I connected the battery. Trying to take a picture for another forum member. Thanks.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 580
Likes: 8
From: Clemson SC
I had a similar problem with my 88 - none of the electrical switches would work the solenoid that opens the hatch. The manual release is a short SS cable on the passenger side that is kind of hidden by the shade. When I got my 88, the manual release cable was really hard to find because it had been broken? or looked cut and was short. It was kind of stuffed up behind the carpet and just above the shade. Had to get my son to crawl in with a GOOD flashlight and dig around in there before he found it and pulled it with a pair of needle nose pliers.
My cheap fix was hooking a long boot lace to the release and running it up behind the passenger seat. Really easy to pop the hatch with it if needed, like if battery is disconnected and you need to get something out of rear.
My cheap fix was hooking a long boot lace to the release and running it up behind the passenger seat. Really easy to pop the hatch with it if needed, like if battery is disconnected and you need to get something out of rear.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
Thank you, and yes mine seems the same. Cut short or something. I'm just worried somthing blew when I re- connected the battery so the rear hatch switch would work and it did not. All of my parts are in to put my interior back together so I'm hoping when I connect the console and AT shift harnesses it decides to work!
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Does the '90 also have hatch release switches in the doors? My 87 has one on each door.
If the console switch doesn't work, then it could be the hatch relay. Unfortunately you have to remove the rear hatch trim piece to get to it....
The small wire that's connected to the hatch release mechanism is only about 4" long. Might try grabbing it with a pair of pliers and pulling. Get a helper to press down on the edge of the glass as you pull.
Once you get the window open, you can attach a longer piece of wire and add something like a ring to the end so it will be easier to fish out and grab if you need it again.
If the console switch doesn't work, then it could be the hatch relay. Unfortunately you have to remove the rear hatch trim piece to get to it....
The small wire that's connected to the hatch release mechanism is only about 4" long. Might try grabbing it with a pair of pliers and pulling. Get a helper to press down on the edge of the glass as you pull.
Once you get the window open, you can attach a longer piece of wire and add something like a ring to the end so it will be easier to fish out and grab if you need it again.
