rear hatch doesn't open like its supposed to.. help
rear hatch doesn't open like its supposed to.. help So basically when i push the button it pushes the hatch up, but when i lift on it it wont come up. But if i use the key button and hit the button and lift up at the same time i can get it off. Im pretty sure its not supposed to be that way. Can someone tell me whats wrong. Is there something that needs to be adjusted? is the electronic release going?
Mine does the EXACT same thing, basically its worn out. what is happening is the the spring is either lost its tension or the piece attached to the spring (circled in red) is bent out of shape so the force isn't being directed right, I bent it back in and sometimes it will pop up enough to not need me to lift up on it but 99% of the time I still do.
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: AL
I'm assuming your talking about an f-body. Its a pretty common problem. I read a thread on here a couple years ago that shows how to fix it. Just add another spring to the release mechanism in the trunk. fixed mine
i figured it might be common, is there a special spring i need? or just any spring that matches the one that is there?
11 Second Club
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 388
Likes: 10
From: ortonville,mi.
Did this years ago and has been "popping" open great since http://www.installuniversity.com/ins...ease_fix_2.htm
Lol I think this was the first mod I did to my car, put the spring in and it worked like a charm. Now even with the second spring it doesn't pop on the first try. Guess I'll have to try another spring.
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+1 for an additional/stronger spring. Worked great for me for quite a while. Mine now is back to its old ways though, and I believe its because the actual metal lever not being in the original position. I tried bending it some, still not quite popping. I'll take a look at it again but do yourself a favor and inspect the latch on the actual hatch. Mine shows wear on the very inside edge, which is how I know at this point that its the lever. That should give you a clue of the actual problem.
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Verdad Gallardo +1 for an additional/stronger spring. Worked great for me for quite a while. Mine now is back to its old ways though, and I believe its because the actual metal lever not being in the original position. I tried bending it some, still not quite popping. I'll take a look at it again but do yourself a favor and inspect the latch on the actual hatch. Mine shows wear on the very inside edge, which is how I know at this point that its the lever. That should give you a clue of the actual problem.
What I did was a 2 part fix,
1. get a big pair of pliers and clamp them on to the pivot point of the bar and bend that tab so the bar is as close to the latch as you can get it.
2. pull the plastic section off the under side of the hatch and take the 4 10mm bolts loose (not out just 3 or 4 turns loose) and slide the "hook" as far forward as it will adjust (about a 1/4" inch) and re-tighten the four 10m.
once this is done slowly lower the hatch checking alignment of the hook and the latch, if there good then close it normally and test several times.
Once you satisfied its fixed replace plastic panel around hook.
here is a quick video describing what I did
Last edited by Daniel Richards; Jan 13, 2013 at 12:07 AM.
^^^ yeah, exactly what I was talking about. I bent it like you did, but probably still need to move the latch piece further in. Thanks for the post, this should pretty much cover any hatch release issues. Now I just need some new struts for it lol
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 555
Likes: 0
From: NearHouston, TX
Check your hatch struts too. Mine stick when the hatch has been closed for a while and it won't pop. If I have recently popped it then it'll release fully. Probably a combination of weak spring and sticking struts.
My 98 never had this issue. Like the roof panel glue, I wonder what possessed them to change it in 99.
My 98 never had this issue. Like the roof panel glue, I wonder what possessed them to change it in 99.
Teching In
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 14
Likes: 1
So basically when i push the button it pushes the hatch up, but when i lift on it it wont come up. But if i use the key button and hit the button and lift up at the same time i can get it off. Im pretty sure its not supposed to be that way. Can someone tell me whats wrong. Is there something that needs to be adjusted? is the electronic release going?
Each and every one of my 4th gen's did this. I turned the grommets and walla. Done.
Hope this helps
There is an adjustment on each side of the body where the hatch meets. Its a rubber grommet you can turn to make the grommet higher or lower. By doing this, when you hit the yellow release button, the hatch will be able to open.
Each and every one of my 4th gen's did this. I turned the grommets and walla. Done.
Hope this helps
Each and every one of my 4th gen's did this. I turned the grommets and walla. Done.
Hope this helps
So now that this works my next question is about the struts, mine hold the hatch open but do not raise it on their own, is that correct or should the hatch come up on it's own when released?
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,331
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
No, the hatch needs to be lifted manually. The struts are sufficient to hold it up and make it easier to lift but not enough to lift it like an automatic SUV hatch.
