help..rear hatch wont open..just clicks

[LOUVETTE]

my 89 coupe rear hatch wont open with any of the 3 buttons that are suposed to open it. i hear a soft click and not the loug pop that i usually get before it opens.....anyone know how to get it to open so i can fix it and what might be wrong.....it did this last week then finally opened several times ...now wont open at all.....thanks for helping............

 

[Rabbit]

There is a cable on the right side, looking forward, that is for such emergencies. It's about a 1/16 in.

Its right below the center of the latch.
You will need a pair of needle nose pliers.

It's kinda hard to find, but it's there.

 

[LOUVETTE]

THANKS

thanks ill try to find it ...sorta look up from under the car to the latch area and i will see this cablegoing from the center of the latch across to the passenger side if i understand u right..........
and do u know how to fix this problem....thanks again

 

[Rabbit]

I'd check the relay. You have to remove the rear trim piece I believe. I'm not familiar with that aspect of your year. I'm sure someone else will have more detailed info.

 

[Ken]

I thought maybe my cable release was broken, do you mean to tell me that is the way it was designed -- only about three or four-inches long? Why on earth didn't they have it sticking out a little more somewhere along the back? I'm gonna extend mine before it goes back together this time.

_ken

 

[Eagle85C4]

My hatch did the same thing...after an exhaustive time removing all the trin and console to get at every piece I found that the connector to the soleniod for the hatch was loose, after crimping it down and replacing it, I no longer suffered the clicking hatch syndrome.

 

[Tight Pie]

i had the same problem, the 2 struts/shock abosobers that raise the back hatch have lost their charge and need to be replaced. jc whitney has them for 50 bux each while the dealer has them for 8 bucks each, well thats the story for my 1984 that had the same problem

 

[oldace84]

I had the same problem, turned out to be bad rear window struts,
I replaced with new from Eckler's.....Now when I pushn the button....damn if it dosen't pop open, and I mean Pop open......glad I made the repair....Now I'm happy again....
Do you think this is your problem.....???????
Hope I've helped.....
tony

 

[Full Bull]

bad struts on the window were my problem...same as you, hit button, here soft pop...window no go up....went out and pulled it up....

 

[Alfonso Gomez]

I did not have that problem but I was told that there was an emergency cable for precisely that purpose. I could not find it until I retracted the cargo area curtain and with a flashlight started looking between the curtain and the rear hatch trim. There it was in the center under the latch. I used needle nose pliers to grab it and since it is very short, I clamped a small Craftsman locking plier to the end and left the cable and plier dangling out. Anytime I have to open the hatch when the battery is disconnected for any reason, I just retract the curtain and pull the plier. It works every time. They should have put a handle on the thing at the factory.

 

[Dreamin]

How can I thank all of you for your questions and contributions to this forum? Let me count the ways......

The rear hatch jammed on my husband's 1989 Vette and the roof panel was securely in place in its holder in the back deck.

Thank God hubby happened to comment "I'm going to have to break a window" as he walked past me in the laundry room! Why? I asked with a shocked expression on my face. He told me what the problem was. I figured there MUST be some sort of an emergency release. After trying all sorts of options and ideas I decided to turn on the computer and do a search.

Here - no surprise - I found the answer. A few seconds and a pair of needlenose pliers, the rear hatch was opened. Good thing I am small enough to crawl into the space between the compartment floor and the targa top!

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!!!!!

Ann

 

[Ken]

Now that I would have loved to see Ann! I can't imagine how I'd ever get in there if the hatch stuck with the roof in its storage clips. It's not that I'm that big, it's just that there ain't much room! :L

I'm glad the was able to help you.

_ken

 

[WhalePirot]

Soft click= electrical side is okay (relay). Louder click comes from the glass springing up off the catch.

My struts failed, a sevidenced by the piece needing 'help' to start up, then didn't quite go all the way up, then not at all.

Be advised, the glass piece is very heavy, as you'll see when you get the first strut off. Be ready to prop it open with something. Some may need help with holding the glass open and/or compressing the new strut while fitting it.
mike

 

[Dreamin]

It just never ends!

I don't believe this is the case, but......once you use the emergency release mechanism, does that mean the electronic hatch release no longer works?

When we put the release buttons (door and center console), the we hear a click and the solenoid buzzes/vibrates but nothing happens. So, we know power is getting to the current but nothing happens after that.

I guess this means the solenoid is gone?

Sorry 'bout this. Here I thought we had her all fixed up. All this 'cause my husband wanted to do something simple and seemingly unrelated! Maybe a coincidence?

Ann

P.S. We checked the connectors. They seem to be on nice and tight.

 

[Dreamin]

Ken - yup, not much space. I can sure vouch for that! I must have a small head. Let's just leave it at that, shall we? (grin)

Ann

 

[Ken]

I ain't sayin' a thing about small heads...

:gap

I don't believe this is the case, but......once you use the emergency release mechanism, does that mean the electronic hatch release no longer works?

What on earth ever gave you that impression? :confused

_ken

 

[Dreamin]

I don't know.....just shooting in the dark.....

Trying to figure out why the hatch won't open by pushing the buttons since all the connections seem secure. I guess the solenoid is gone. Hubby is going to have to take her to the "hospital" tomorrow. Sigh.....

You know, if it ain't broke, DON'T FIX IT!!!!!

I since reviewed all the messages and realize how stupid my shot in the dark is. Obviously, the emergency release doesn't affect the natural workings of the hatch release. Slap My Hand! Silly woman!

Anyway, we now have a much more serious problem with the vette that doesn't belong on this thread. I give up. Gonna go away for a bit and try to think this through.

Thanks again.

Ann