C6 Corvette General Discussion General C6 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Feral Industries

C6 Fail Safe System Failed

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 16, 2021 | 12:22 PM
  #1  
Pablou's Avatar
Pablou
Thread Starter
8th Gear
 
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 8
Likes: 2
Default C6 Fail Safe System Failed

FYI, check your rear manual hatch release mechanism periodically - I came home from vacation to a dead battery and could not get the hatch to open. Consequently I could not get into the car to manually open the door. Two Locksmiths and AAA could not access the manual door release because of how tightly the window fits when fully up and potential damage to the car. Towing to the local dealer was not an option because it was in the garage, in gear and would have to be dragged out with lots of potential damage. Only option left was to break the drivers side window to gain access. New window installed was $372. All of this was caused by the cable from the key lock to the hatch latch not being connected!

Save yourself a lot of grief and test your C6 fail safe access system periodically.
Reply
Old Jun 16, 2021 | 12:50 PM
  #2  
FatsWaller's Avatar
FatsWaller
Safety Car
Conversation Starter
Photoriffic
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 4,924
Likes: 2,334
From: Etobicoke (Toronto) Ontario
Default

Unfortunately you are far from the first to have this problem. That's why you need to test that the hatch will open before it's the last resort.
Reply
Old Jun 16, 2021 | 12:55 PM
  #3  
blownbayou's Avatar
blownbayou
Burning Brakes
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 771
Likes: 399
2022 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default

checking when I get home...... good to know

Lets say my latch does not work.... I assume the assembly is behind the carpeted molding on the back wall correct???

Last edited by blownbayou; Jun 16, 2021 at 12:56 PM.
Reply
Old Jun 16, 2021 | 12:59 PM
  #4  
87SAM's Avatar
87SAM
Safety Car
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,386
Likes: 689
From: Boise ID
Default

Jacking up the front and attaching a charger to the starter would have been another option. Not sure if you did, but checking here first would have been helpful, as this problem happens fairly often. At any rate, glad you’re on the road again.
Reply
Old Jun 16, 2021 | 01:26 PM
  #5  
FatsWaller's Avatar
FatsWaller
Safety Car
Conversation Starter
Photoriffic
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 4,924
Likes: 2,334
From: Etobicoke (Toronto) Ontario
Default

Check post #25 here for another way to jumper to get power https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...f-my-08-a.html
Reply
Old Jun 16, 2021 | 01:40 PM
  #6  
Iceaxe's Avatar
Iceaxe
Safety Car
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,355
Likes: 2,633
From: Draper Utah
Default

Connecting your battery charger or battery maintainer to the starter would have powered the system so you could unlock your doors.

Also... if going through a window the windshield is normally the cheapest and easiest. You often don't even need to break the window.
Reply
Old Jun 16, 2021 | 01:50 PM
  #7  
Pablou's Avatar
Pablou
Thread Starter
8th Gear
 
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 8
Likes: 2
Default

Yes, very easy to get to. But just see if your key opens it up, if so you're good!!
Reply
Old Jun 16, 2021 | 01:57 PM
  #8  
Pablou's Avatar
Pablou
Thread Starter
8th Gear
 
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 8
Likes: 2
Default

The way it was parked in the garage, no way to get to it. You have to loosen the exhaust and try to get around the catalytic converter. Also no guarantee that this method won't damage electronics. Lesson learned, from now on - I will always pop the hood when I park it in the garage and then never leave it parked outside without leaving the windows open just enough to get to the manual door release or checking the hatch key mechanism.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-4

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
Old Jun 16, 2021 | 03:18 PM
  #9  
JABCAT's Avatar
JABCAT
Race Director
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 12,759
Likes: 10,655
From: Prosper TX/Austin TX
2020 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
Default

Originally Posted by blownbayou
checking when I get home...... good to know

Lets say my latch does not work.... I assume the assembly is behind the carpeted molding on the back wall correct???
yes


Reply
Old Jun 16, 2021 | 04:05 PM
  #10  
joec's Avatar
joec
Melting Slicks
Supporting Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,479
Likes: 113
From: Kissimme now from LI,NY
Default

I always leave my hood open after I park it in the garage to let the heat out of the engine bay...
Reply
Old Jun 16, 2021 | 04:25 PM
  #11  
Pablou's Avatar
Pablou
Thread Starter
8th Gear
 
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 8
Likes: 2
Default

Me too, especially in Arizona!!
Reply
Old Jun 16, 2021 | 07:56 PM
  #12  
dpigguy's Avatar
dpigguy
Safety Car
15 Year Member
Veteran: Army
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,974
Likes: 148
From: Magnolia Texas
Default

Your avatar shows a coupe. Was crawling through the back to reach the door release on the floor not an option? That option works but don’t ask me how I know.
Reply
Old Jun 16, 2021 | 08:02 PM
  #13  
Sox-Fan's Avatar
Sox-Fan
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,990
Likes: 346
From: Mt. Pleasant S.C.
Default

Originally Posted by dpigguy
Your avatar shows a coupe. Was crawling through the back to reach the door release on the floor not an option? That option works but don’t ask me how I know.
You missed this part.

"All of this was caused by the cable from the key lock to the hatch latch not being connected!"

He could not get in the back to crawl through.
Reply
Old Jun 16, 2021 | 08:04 PM
  #14  
FatsWaller's Avatar
FatsWaller
Safety Car
Conversation Starter
Photoriffic
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 4,924
Likes: 2,334
From: Etobicoke (Toronto) Ontario
Default

Originally Posted by dpigguy
Your avatar shows a coupe. Was crawling through the back to reach the door release on the floor not an option? That option works but don’t ask me how I know.
If you could get the hatch opened, which the OP couldn't, you could do that. You could also just pull the driver door release tag which is located on the left side of the hatch towards the rear, along with the emergency release for the gas door. No need to crawl over anything if you can get the hatch opened.
Reply
Old Jun 16, 2021 | 08:52 PM
  #15  
JABCAT's Avatar
JABCAT
Race Director
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 12,759
Likes: 10,655
From: Prosper TX/Austin TX
2020 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
Default

Originally Posted by Pablou
All of this was caused by the cable from the key lock to the hatch latch not being connected!

Save yourself a lot of grief and test your C6 fail safe access system periodically.
Can’t tell from your photo, was this piece disconnected inside the hatch (under the carpet) or in the cavity between the tub & rear fascia that can be accessed by removing the tail light?
Reply
Old Jun 16, 2021 | 10:19 PM
  #16  
blownbayou's Avatar
blownbayou
Burning Brakes
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 771
Likes: 399
2022 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default

Went and tested my fail safe and nothing…… My key will go in up to the cuts of the key ( not all the way… assuming this is correct), but when I turn it…. Nothing. I even bent the key turning it to try to unlock. Bent back into shape and now I have this to worry about. Looks like I will be digging in and checking my cable to see if it is connected….. probably is not.
Reply
Old Jun 16, 2021 | 10:40 PM
  #17  
Jason71's Avatar
Jason71
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 814
From: Virginia
Default

95% of the time mine is parked in the garage with the windows down. I will even put the cover on it with the windows down if it’s going to sit for a couple days.........

Well, off to check my key to see if it will open the hatch.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To C6 Fail Safe System Failed

Old Jun 16, 2021 | 10:44 PM
  #18  
airmed2's Avatar
airmed2
Drifting
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 339
From: Mesquite, Nv
Default

2005-2013 Corvette C6 Emergency Entry Access System (mamotorworks.com)

This is what I installed on mine.
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2021 | 10:45 AM
  #19  
Pablou's Avatar
Pablou
Thread Starter
8th Gear
 
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 8
Likes: 2
Default

Can't crawl through the hatch if it will not open due to a disconnected cable
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2021 | 10:48 AM
  #20  
Pablou's Avatar
Pablou
Thread Starter
8th Gear
 
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 8
Likes: 2
Default

Now this is a great tip!! I'm going to order one for myself - thanks!!!!!
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:09 PM.

story-0
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-2
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-5
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE