Lousy deck latch
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 182
Likes: 5
From: Redding CA
Lousy deck latch
I have very few complaints about our 2015 Coupe, but the deck latch is one. After having the "pull down latch" in our C6. I find it a real pain to have to open a door to close the hatch. Yes, I can slam it, then push on the paint to latch it. NOW, I see the 2016 has "Power-cinch feature for coupe hatch and convertible trunk latches". I guess the BS offered by GM about weight is no longer an issue! Will this feature become available for the previous C7's?
Racer
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 336
Likes: 2
I have very few complaints about our 2015 Coupe, but the deck latch is one. After having the "pull down latch" in our C6. I find it a real pain to have to open a door to close the hatch. Yes, I can slam it, then push on the paint to latch it. NOW, I see the 2016 has "Power-cinch feature for coupe hatch and convertible trunk latches". I guess the BS offered by GM about weight is no longer an issue! Will this feature become available for the previous C7's?
Last edited by Elegant1; Apr 26, 2015 at 11:23 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 85
From: Winfield, IL
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,543
Likes: 854
The C7 appears to be a well sealed vehicle. I believe that most of us owners who own a 2014 or 2015 C7 have experienced the same result when trying to close the rear hatch.
Since the car is so well sealed, closing the hatch creates air pressure within the cabin thus having a hard time to close the hatch entirely.
As others have suggested having the car door open just abit or window down 1/4 inch, you will not experience this problem.
Yes it is a PITA no doubt, but hey we know the C7 is well sealed.
Look at the positives of the situation.
Since the car is so well sealed, closing the hatch creates air pressure within the cabin thus having a hard time to close the hatch entirely.
As others have suggested having the car door open just abit or window down 1/4 inch, you will not experience this problem.
Yes it is a PITA no doubt, but hey we know the C7 is well sealed.
Look at the positives of the situation.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
No it was said that retrofitting the power latch would be to hard to do. ALL they needed to do was index the side glass the same exact way it already does when opening a passenger door except do it for for the rear hatch door as well. Try putting your side glass down 1/4 inch on both doors and go back and close the hatch. Then see for yourself how simple of a fix this could have been.
High tech vent opens and closes by itself, but worthless if it does not work.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 22,366
Likes: 1,683
From: South Carolina
I hate they moved the hidden button hatch open button the most lol...and changed the shape. I keep trying to use the round area that has one of the tag lights..
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 16
From: Tampa Florida
Which C6 Corvettes had an auto pull down latch ?
My wife had a 2007 convertible that didn't have it and I have a 2008 ZO6 that doesn't have it.
I didn't realize it was even offered on the C6.
My wife had a 2007 convertible that didn't have it and I have a 2008 ZO6 that doesn't have it.
I didn't realize it was even offered on the C6.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
From: Southwest WA
My 2009 Z06 has the power deck latch mechanism.
Sometimes when you drop the deck to close it, it works and you can easily hear it. Sometimes it doesn't engage, as mentioned above, and you have to press down to lock it.
Cheers!
Sometimes when you drop the deck to close it, it works and you can easily hear it. Sometimes it doesn't engage, as mentioned above, and you have to press down to lock it.
Cheers!
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: I live my life by 2 rules. 1) Never share everything you know. 2)
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '16-'17-'18
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 34,949
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From: NE South Carolina
Happiness is a tight Vette!
Last edited by JerryU; Apr 26, 2015 at 02:56 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,104
Likes: 626
From: Baton Rouge LA
This is the biggest oversight in the car's design, IMO. Like JerryU, mine won't latch, period--even when I slam the hatch with great force. Yes, I can press it down once it partially latches, but I don't like the idea of repeatedly applying force to a small painted area. So, I just open a door, which is never convenient, especially if I don't think about it before closing the hatch, which is usually the case. Maybe after I own the car for a while I'll get into some sort of rhythm.
I wonder if the vent hole behind the license plate could be enlarged. A simple software update could enable window indexing, so maybe if we complain enough they'll listen.
I wonder if the vent hole behind the license plate could be enlarged. A simple software update could enable window indexing, so maybe if we complain enough they'll listen.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,182
Likes: 209
From: Orlando FL
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,707
Likes: 221
From: Bergen County New Jersey
This is the biggest oversight in the car's design, IMO. Like JerryU, mine won't latch, period--even when I slam the hatch with great force. Yes, I can press it down once it partially latches, but I don't like the idea of repeatedly applying force to a small painted area. So, I just open a door, which is never convenient, especially if I don't think about it before closing the hatch, which is usually the case. Maybe after I own the car for a while I'll get into some sort of rhythm.
I wonder if the vent hole behind the license plate could be enlarged. A simple software update could enable window indexing, so maybe if we complain enough they'll listen.
I wonder if the vent hole behind the license plate could be enlarged. A simple software update could enable window indexing, so maybe if we complain enough they'll listen.
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 34,949
Likes: 12,362
From: NE South Carolina
This is the biggest oversight in the car's design, IMO. Like JerryU, mine won't latch, period--even when I slam the hatch with great force. Yes, I can press it down once it partially latches, but I don't like the idea of repeatedly applying force to a small painted area. So, I just open a door, which is never convenient, especially if I don't think about it before closing the hatch, which is usually the case. Maybe after I own the car for a while I'll get into some sort of rhythm.
The problem was known early on as it was a poster in late 2013 as I recall that was told at Museum Delivery not to press on the center of the hatch frame to latch as there had been reports of paint cracking! They were told to press with two hands on the peaks near the window edges. A large forum dealer said 20% of the cars he sold had paid cracking from bending!I have been at this for 1 ½ years and it helps sharpen my short term memory to remember the sequence! Usually you’re getting into the hatch when entering or leaving the car. If leaving just have to remember to keep the door open before closing the hatch and if getting in, open the door before closing the hatch. As mentioned in a previous post, I can stand behind the open door and close the hatch from the side with very little force!
Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 396
Likes: 14
From: Orlando FL
No it was said that retrofitting the power latch would be to hard to do. ALL they needed to do was index the side glass the same exact way it already does when opening a passenger door except do it for for the rear hatch door as well. Try putting your side glass down 1/4 inch on both doors and go back and close the hatch. Then see for yourself how simple of a fix this could have been.
1. There are federal "pinch" laws (who says we don't have too much government
) and they can only index the windows down so far to comply with the law. It is such a small amount (I think he said 4mm, but don't quote me) that it didn't relieve enough pressure to make closing easy.2. If its raining and you opened up the hatch, there was the potential for dumping water on the passenger when the window indexed. Probably not a wanted side effect.
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 34,949
Likes: 12,362
From: NE South Carolina
Tadge was asked and replied to this at the Bash. From what he said there were a couple of problems with adding indexing to resolve this issue:
1. There are federal "pinch" laws (who says we don't have too much government) and they can only index the windows down so far to comply with the law. It is such a small amount (I think he said 4mm, but don't quote me) that it didn't relieve enough pressure to make closing easy.
2. If its raining and you opened up the hatch, there was the potential for dumping water on the passenger when the window indexed. Probably not a wanted side effect.
1. There are federal "pinch" laws (who says we don't have too much government
) and they can only index the windows down so far to comply with the law. It is such a small amount (I think he said 4mm, but don't quote me) that it didn't relieve enough pressure to make closing easy.2. If its raining and you opened up the hatch, there was the potential for dumping water on the passenger when the window indexed. Probably not a wanted side effect.
Keeping the door open to have the hatch latch workaround, also using a finger on my left hand to hold in the memory button while buckling the seat belt with my right hand and turning the steering wheel less when it's cold to avoid excess "tire chatter," are easy to do and not really that much of an issue with a great car. They made so many changes in this car from the C6 can accept these first years issues. Glad they are fixing for the 2016.
Last edited by JerryU; Apr 26, 2015 at 08:56 PM.