Hatch Won't Open
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Pro
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Warner Robins GA
Hatch Won't Open
My 88's hatch stopped opening today. While usually I'll notice a nice solid "Click" and it opens, now it's just a soft tick and it doesn't open. The tick sounds like it's coming from the passenger side, near the speaker. I'm sure this is something simple.. maybe a relay? Both door switches and the one in the center console all do the same thing. I'll crawl back there and remove some of the paneling to see what's making the tick tomorrow while it's not dark.
Thanks for any advice.
Thanks for any advice.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,833
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From: Calgary, Alberta
Re: Hatch Won't Open (bogus)
Had this happen to me 2 years ago. The solenoid died. There is a "rip cord" cable near the latch for the Hatch. Give it a good tug. It is a pain to get at. I believe I had to remove the plastic cover that goes around the back end of the Car. I believe about 6 screws.
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From: Warner Robins GA
Re: Hatch Won't Open (cdnguyred88)
Thanks guys, I knew it'd be something simple.
I'm looking through my service manual right now. This won't require tearing a bunch of guts out will it? I removed all the plastic paneling in the back awhile ago to run some good speaker wire, so I'm familiar with disassembly.
I'm looking through my service manual right now. This won't require tearing a bunch of guts out will it? I removed all the plastic paneling in the back awhile ago to run some good speaker wire, so I'm familiar with disassembly.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
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From: Las Vegas Nevada
Re: Hatch Won't Open (cdnguyred88)
I extended my rip cord to come out just beneath the passenger courtesy light and attached a heavy washer to the end of the cable. It hangs behind the passenger seat and is not noticeable. Great when the battery is disconnected and you want to pop the hatch.
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From: Warner Robins GA
Re: Hatch Won't Open (cdnguyred88)
Thanks for the tip about the rip cord. I'm not sure why I never noticed it before. I manually opened the hatch and now it seems to be opening properly again. Even so, I'll replace the solenoid. I'm not a big fan of things only sometimes working, and having a sometimes broken hatch will only add fuel to my Ford loving neighbors' fires.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Enter Post Count Here
Re: Hatch Won't Open (Tourney3p0)
Since its easy to get to emergency release, I wouldn't replace it until absolutely necessary. I'd write this occurence up to a one-time thing until it happens again.
Unless of course, you have $85 lying around! :eek: That little solenoid is a POS, and it's crimped shut, so a rebuild is inaccessable. :(
Unless of course, you have $85 lying around! :eek: That little solenoid is a POS, and it's crimped shut, so a rebuild is inaccessable. :(
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From: Warner Robins GA
Re: Hatch Won't Open (NoWorries)
Well, it worked all last night and today. I took the day off work today to do some fishing since I found some catfish yesterday. Didn't want to let such a rare occurence pass me by..
I didn't mention last night that I had about 25 pounds of catfish in the back of my car when the hatch wouldn't open. Today it was closer to 35. Basically if there are fish desperately trying to rot in my car, my hatch won't open. One of those crazy coincidences..
Anyhow, I'll definitely be replacing that solenoid now.. I'm getting the same very quiet "tick" sound when I try to release it today. Can someone let me know what type of job swapping these out will be, and if I'll need any special tools? I'm going to look around for the part number now.
Thanks.
I didn't mention last night that I had about 25 pounds of catfish in the back of my car when the hatch wouldn't open. Today it was closer to 35. Basically if there are fish desperately trying to rot in my car, my hatch won't open. One of those crazy coincidences..
Anyhow, I'll definitely be replacing that solenoid now.. I'm getting the same very quiet "tick" sound when I try to release it today. Can someone let me know what type of job swapping these out will be, and if I'll need any special tools? I'm going to look around for the part number now.
Thanks.
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Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Enter Post Count Here
Re: Hatch Won't Open (Tourney3p0)
Replacingit is pretty easy. You'll need to remove the little plastic cover(phillipsscrewdriver), then the little latchis held on with two 13mm bolts that you'll need an open end wrench to remove. The dirt should shouldmake a good mark for allignment,but if it doesn't, you'll havce to markitwith a pen or something. The solenoidis heldonwitha 10mm bolt. Overall it's pretty easy, it's been 9months sinceI did mine,butIthink Irememberitprettywell.
:seeya
:seeya
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From: Warner Robins GA
Re: Hatch Won't Open (NoWorries)
Quick question before I shell out a bunch of money.. if I hear the faint click every time without fail, it's not a relay, right? And would the solenoid or relay be on the passenger side next to the speaker? According to the old posts I dug up they're fairly close together, and I'd hate to buy an 80 dollar solenoid if I just needed a 10 dollar relay.
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From: Warner Robins GA
Re: Hatch Won't Open (Tourney3p0)
Update:
It wasn't the solenoid. I get the same clicking sound, so I pulled the paneling until I found the source of the click. It's a small relay with the numbers 6139 and 329820 on it. Hopefully those are part numbers, but GM Parts Direct is coming up empty with both of those.
It could also be that it's always made this faint "click" but I couldn't hear it due to the proper operation of the hatch. I'll call around and make sure that this relay is $120.
It wasn't the solenoid. I get the same clicking sound, so I pulled the paneling until I found the source of the click. It's a small relay with the numbers 6139 and 329820 on it. Hopefully those are part numbers, but GM Parts Direct is coming up empty with both of those.
It could also be that it's always made this faint "click" but I couldn't hear it due to the proper operation of the hatch. I'll call around and make sure that this relay is $120.
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From: Warner Robins GA
Re: Hatch Won't Open (corvettemaster)
just wanderin, but i've always heard there was one, but i can't find it on my 86. where exactly is it? :confused:
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Re: Hatch Won't Open (Tourney3p0)
Checkout "redneck43" on eBay. He has solenoids (item example 2436579502) and relays. I picked up a used solenoid for 15 bucks and change. Works great! :thumbs: Search for "corvette hatch"
Instructor
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 136
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From: Raleigh NC
Re: Hatch Won't Open (JrRifleCoach)
I haven't troubleshot this kind of problem and I'm not amiliar with the circuit, but can you hook a meter between the solenoid wire and ground easily. Just watch the meter and see if the solenoid is getting voltage when you hit the button. If its not getting voltage then its the relay. Now if what the relay does is ground the negative side of the solenoid then you should see 12 volts under normal conditions and close to zero volts when you hit the button. Might save you buying the wrong part.
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From: Warner Robins GA
Re: Hatch Won't Open (DaveD)
I replaced the relay and that fixed it. While I had it torn apart I listened to the new one to see if it makes that tick sound, and it does.. so no difference there. Either way it works now.
The part number was HR84, but it's a Sorenson.
The part number was HR84, but it's a Sorenson.
