Rear Hatch "Click", No Open

[Chris Kennedy]

Hi! The hatch in the '89 would not release this morning when I used the interior switches---instead I got a "clicking" noise from the area around the hatch release. I am thinking this is either a bad solenoid, or relay---has anyone had this problem? I am going to replace the trim piece around the latch this weekend, so this would seem a good time to make the repair. I used the manual cable to release the hatch.

Thanks,

Chris Kennedy
Houston, Texas

 

[NevadaJim]

Had the same problem with my '87. There is a solenoid release that can go bad. You can try taking it out and cleaning the solenoid shaft and putting some white grease on it. That helped mine for a while, but I just ordered and replaced it about 2 weeks ago. A new one is a little expensive - $87.99 from Ecklers. I did see some used ones on e-bay, but steered away from them. Unfortunately, you really can't take the solenoid apart and fix it (at least it was a little beyond me). Maybe someone else can offer a better solution.

 

[Chris Kennedy]

Thanks! I suspected it was that after looking at various diagrams in the catalogs, as my Service Manual has yet to arrive (I just bought the car in Colorado and drove it down here to Houston a week ago---GREAT drive, and this car seems happy to be back out on the road). I also checked the circuit breaker, just in case. I ended up buying the part new at a local Chevy dealer. Luckily, I had read the Owner's Manual so knew about the wire manual pull to open the hatch.

/s/ Chris Kennedy
Houston, Texas

 

[NevadaJim]

Sounds like you had a great trip. If you haven't already replaced the solenoid, it's relatively easy. Once you remove the rear decking you see it down under the latch itself (you may need to move some of the carpet backing). If you remove the light/alarm switch on the left side (held on with two screws) you can disconnect the wire harness from the solenoid. Next you remove the 10mm on towards the right that holds the solenoid to the latch. Once removed you should be able to slide the unit out to the right.

 

[WhalePirot]

It may not be the solenoid, depending on the nature of the click.

Did it used to work? I have had the rubber 'hold on' to the glass, where, assuming the gas shocks are okay, the easiest way to free it may be to close either door, with the windows up. Your fingers may otherwise free it.

If the gas shocks are exhausted, then the (heavy) glass cannot go up on its own. The shocks are not difficult to replace, but having help is good.

The click tells me the electrical side is probably working.

 

[Chris Kennedy]

Thanks, everyone. I will know about the hatch solenoid in a little while, as I'm working on it now. Yeah, the trip from the Denver area was great. What was interesting was that I don't think that I have covered so much ground at such a high average speed (1200 miles at 83 mph at 1800 rpm in 6th)---and this in a car I knew nothing about with about 120K on it! I am in the process of getting things attended to, and finally adding on the stuff I have been collecting from the catalogs (ZR1 style/Grand Sport Wheels, used standard seats in black, etc etc). On top of that, I have been driving the car around town, in the rain etc., like "normal". Which is good, as this will be my only car. Incidentally, I am really glad I got the digital dash (I was debating between '89 and '90 6 speeds, as I like the first C4 body better than the '91 on). Lots of fun, easy to read on the fly, and it fits much less intrusively into the interior than the later dashes.

Chris Kennedy
Houston, Texas

 

[Joe C]

It may not be the solenoid...
...the rubber 'hold on' to the glass...gas shocks... The click tells me the electrical side is probably working.

my thoughts exactly -

 

[Chris Kennedy]

my thoughts exactly -

It was the solenoid, and all is working now. Thanks, everyone, for the help/advice.

/s/ Chris Kennedy
Houston, Texas

 

[WhalePirot]

Glad to hear. What was the clicking noise, then?

How'd you get it open? (My release handle has been missing for decades; I made one.

Once my sticky glass was freed, it opened just fine, until the helper shocks crapped out.

 

[74bigblock]

Put some tape on it... that should fix it right up!

 

[Chris Kennedy]

Glad to hear. What was the clicking noise, then?

How'd you get it open? (My release handle has been missing for decades; I made one.

Once my sticky glass was freed, it opened just fine, until the helper shocks crapped out.

Hi! Sorry for the delay in getting back to you: The clicking noise was the solenoid failing, but not yet totally dead. It would move slightly, but obviously not enough to trigger the latch of the hatch. I manually opened the hatch by reaching in from the passenger side and moving my hand in the gap just to the left of the latch between the carpet and security shade. There's a steel wire (about 5 inches long) tied to the solenoid release just for this purpose, and when you pull it the latch will be triggered and the hatch will open. The Owner's Manual describes this at page 2D-4,5 and has a picture.

Chris Kennedy
Houston, Texas