I just purchased a 92 coupe and the rear latch will not open with button or by pushing the manual release from inside. does anyone have any suggestions?

 

There is no manual release you push from the inside. Buried somewhere in the very back center of the interior there should be the end of a cable. You pull that cable to unlatch the rear window.
Have you tried all 3 release switches. There is one on the end of each door panel and one under the console lid.

 

Thank you Kmcoldcars, I have not tried passenger side switch. This car has not been registered since 2006 so there is signs of dampness throughout the car. I have been pushing a spring loaded button/handle located at the center of the window, near the latch. Do you happen to know what that is for? I used to own a 1980 (back in the day) but this is my first C4, so I am not familiar with all of the controls.

 

The handle that you are pushing is the latching mechanism that holds the targa in place when you store it in the back.

Under the edge of the carpet in that same area is the manual release cable. You may have to fish around for it.

 

Thank you Old Ben. That makes sense. I am sure this won't be the last you here from me. As I said, the C4 is all new to me.

 

C4s are fun but can be a pain at times. The forum is a great place to get answers to your questions.

Drive it and enjoy. Don't forget the wave.

 

There are variations in the way the hatch works depending on if you have a manual or automatic trans. The button in the center console will not work unless the auto is in Park or Neutral. The button will not work with manual trans unless the parking brake is on.

The two switches in the doors are also used as the door ajar switches. They only work when a door is open (as if you could get to them when the door is closed -- stupid design in my opinion). They are enabled by the courtesy light delay module. One check you can make is to open the door(s) while the ignition is on. The DOOR AJAR light should come on in the DIC. If it does not one or both door ajar switches might be stuck in the pushed in position (VERY common problem). I freed mine up with WD-40.

The rear hatch is powered by a circuit breaker in the fuse panel (the silver boxes). On my car it's the top one. The FSM says it's the second one, so ???

When you try to release the hatch you should hear the hatch relay clicking. It's under the rear surround panel near the hatch solenoid. The hatch relay operates the hatch release solenoid. Usually the solenoid is so loud that you can't hear the relay, but if the solenoid is not working you should be able to hear the relay.

The emergency hatch release cable is buried under the security shade near the handle, like so:

 

Thank you all for your help on the rear window. Does anyone know how to remove and replace the solenoid in the rear window? When I remove the rear trim, it doesn't look as though I can get to the latch.

 

I replaced my solenoid several years ago but I don't remember the details. I believe you have to remove the latch assembly to get access to the solenoid.

If the solenoid is bad you should be able to hear the hatch relay clicking.

 

Thank you, all help is appreciated.

 

Hi golfnbowln,

Additional thoughts to what Cliff Harris advised:

The remote (key fob), if so equiped, has a button dedicated to the hatch window, it will (should in your case) operate the hatch latch regardless of the parking brake being set (but does require the door to be open).

Also, on the edge of the driver door is a slide switch (at least on my 94) which also operates the hatch latch, however, that switch does require the parking brake to be set and also requires the 'door ajar' switch to be operating correctly (i.e. ground's circuit when door is open -- with button popped-out).

Also, the Computer Control Module (CCM) has a diagnostic mode which can be used to confirm the signal to open the hatch is being sent, so suggest getting the Factory Service Manuals (FSM) and utilize that section first before replacing anything -- as the problem could be as simple as the door ajar switches not working and thus not sending the signal to open the hatch.

p.s. if the door ajar switches are bad, they can be replaced through their hole without having to dis-assemble the door -- procedure in the FSM or search or post back if needed.