Hatch randomly opens on my 96
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,060
Likes: 214
From: Epping NH
Hatch randomly opens on my 96
I've got a 96 and every now and then while parked the hatch will actually pop open. I actually hear the locking mechanism activate, has anyone else had this happen before?
I will say my PKE did start acting a little strange towards the end of last year, so maybe the problem is related.
I will say my PKE did start acting a little strange towards the end of last year, so maybe the problem is related.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,269
Likes: 142
From: Ottawa Ontario
From the owner's manual
If that doesn't determine it, I'd start looking for shorts. The hatch switch on the back edge of door is probably susceptible to corrosion from the crappy window outer seals. Good luck.
Turning the System Off
1. Take the ignition key out of the ignition.
2. Press DOOR on the transmitter until the door locks cycle (about two seconds).
To turn the system back on, just repeat the steps.
To check that the system is off, turn on the ignition. The PASSIVE KEYLESS ENTRY light on the Driver Information Center should not come on. If the light does come on for a second or two, then the PKE system is still on.
You can also check whether the system is on or off by closing the door and moving away from the vehicle with the keys and transmitter. If the doors lock, the system is on.
If you are working around your vehicle and keeping your keys with you, you might want to turn the PKE system off. If you don’t, the transmitter will keep locking and unlocking your doors.
1. Take the ignition key out of the ignition.
2. Press DOOR on the transmitter until the door locks cycle (about two seconds).
To turn the system back on, just repeat the steps.
To check that the system is off, turn on the ignition. The PASSIVE KEYLESS ENTRY light on the Driver Information Center should not come on. If the light does come on for a second or two, then the PKE system is still on.
You can also check whether the system is on or off by closing the door and moving away from the vehicle with the keys and transmitter. If the doors lock, the system is on.
If you are working around your vehicle and keeping your keys with you, you might want to turn the PKE system off. If you don’t, the transmitter will keep locking and unlocking your doors.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,060
Likes: 214
From: Epping NH
No, it's not the programming of the PKE, not sure what it is. And it's pretty random, but the problem is I can't go anywhere and park the car since the last thing I want to have happen is the damn hatch pops open by itself. May just pull the fuse for now.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,348
Likes: 2,272
From: Central Maryland
My '96 has the same problem. I'm confident that the PKE module is hosed, and is randomly closing the circuit to ground for the hatch release relay. Opening up the dashboard will be required to deal with this, so for now, I've temporarily disconnected the connector from electric solenoid back at the latch, and have strung a pull-wire from the latch around under the trim panel with it exiting behind the passenger's seat. A gentle tug on the wire pops the latch manually. This works well, and it's been too damned cold here this winter to mess with it.
Live well,
SJW
Live well,
SJW
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,060
Likes: 214
From: Epping NH
My '96 has the same problem. I'm confident that the PKE module is hosed, and is randomly closing the circuit to ground for the hatch release relay. Opening up the dashboard will be required to deal with this, so for now, I've temporarily disconnected the connector from electric solenoid back at the latch, and have strung a pull-wire from the latch around under the trim panel with it exiting behind the passenger's seat. A gentle tug on the wire pops the latch manually. This works well, and it's been too damned cold here this winter to mess with it.
Live well,
SJW
Live well,
SJW
He didn't chew on any of the wiring...well at least from what I can see...but now I'm wondering if he did.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,060
Likes: 214
From: Epping NH
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,348
Likes: 2,272
From: Central Maryland
The hatch release relay controls the application of +12VDC to the hatch release solenoid. The other side of the solenoid is always grounded.
The hatch release relay has +12VDC applied to its coil winding at all times (presuming the fuse is installed and not blown). The relay is triggered by having a connection to ground completed on the other side of its coil winding.
There are three paths to ground for the relay's windings:
1. Through the pushbutton hatch release switch in the center console, in series with:
a) The neutral safety switch (automatic trans car)
or
b) The parking brake switch (manual trans car)
2. Through the hatch release switch on the driver's door panel's trailing edge, in series with the door ajar switch.
3. Through a solid-state switch inside of the PKE module.
Path 1 requires two switches to be closed to complete the series circuit to ground. When the car is parked, presumably one of those switches will be closed, but the one in the center console will not, and it's exceedingly unlikely that it will close sporadically without being jostled, vibrated, etc.
Path 2 requires that two switches be closed in order to compete the circuit to ground, and neither of these switches should be closed when the car is parked and the doors are closed. Safe to say this isn't where the problem lies.
Path 3 requires only one switch to be closed; the solid state switch inside of the PKE module, which is controlled electronically. I think this is the only reasonable explanation for this misbehavior.
The wiring diagram in the FSM (Section 8A-134-0) seems to indicate that pulling the hatch release fuse will only disable the hatch release mechanism, so it's probably a safe way to make sure the hatch stays down when you need it to stay down. Disconnecting the wire from the solenoid will guarantee that it doesn't open while the car's parked.
Live well,
SJW
The hatch release relay has +12VDC applied to its coil winding at all times (presuming the fuse is installed and not blown). The relay is triggered by having a connection to ground completed on the other side of its coil winding.
There are three paths to ground for the relay's windings:
1. Through the pushbutton hatch release switch in the center console, in series with:
a) The neutral safety switch (automatic trans car)
or
b) The parking brake switch (manual trans car)
2. Through the hatch release switch on the driver's door panel's trailing edge, in series with the door ajar switch.
3. Through a solid-state switch inside of the PKE module.
Path 1 requires two switches to be closed to complete the series circuit to ground. When the car is parked, presumably one of those switches will be closed, but the one in the center console will not, and it's exceedingly unlikely that it will close sporadically without being jostled, vibrated, etc.
Path 2 requires that two switches be closed in order to compete the circuit to ground, and neither of these switches should be closed when the car is parked and the doors are closed. Safe to say this isn't where the problem lies.
Path 3 requires only one switch to be closed; the solid state switch inside of the PKE module, which is controlled electronically. I think this is the only reasonable explanation for this misbehavior.
The wiring diagram in the FSM (Section 8A-134-0) seems to indicate that pulling the hatch release fuse will only disable the hatch release mechanism, so it's probably a safe way to make sure the hatch stays down when you need it to stay down. Disconnecting the wire from the solenoid will guarantee that it doesn't open while the car's parked.
Live well,
SJW
