Hatch Stuck

[MeeMo]

When I put the key in the hatch to unlock it, the lock goes back and forth properly but I can tell the mechanism has become disconnected. Can it be worked on from the inside while it's closed? It definitely won't unlock for me to open it.

[scottxd45]

Ya just remove the interior panel and you should be able to operate it with the linkages inside the hatch. Or just reconnect whatever came loose.

[velcroshoes30]

hatch back issues

hey i am pretty sure u just need to take the inside panal off and then there is a rod going from your lock to your handle and just disconect your lock and manually unlock it from the hatch

[MeeMo]

That's what I was hoping to hear, thanks guys.

[Burnrate]

Isn't there a little lever on the side of the lock that you can get to from the inside or am I thinking of the Aspires.

[Safety Guy]

I've actuated the inner lock thingie in Aspires in junkyards, and I just went out to look at my Festiva. I can't tell for sure, but it looks like you could reach the inner thingie from inside. I have a cargo cover in place so I can't tell for sure.

Karl

[MONSOON]

Yeah there is just flip it and you should be good to go. If it still doesnt open. Try taking off the interior panel on the hatch and spraying PB Blast or an equivalent in on the latch assembly.Give it some time to work, might even take a few days but go out and try it each day and spray it down some more. It will loosen up and start to work. Thats how I did mine when I got the 88.

[MeeMo]

Dog gonnit, I can see everything, the hatch cover is off, but I can't figure out how to release it. It looks like maybe it's locked but I can't really tell how to release it! Shoot. If anyone has any tips I'm all ears.

[SimonTuffGuy]

The lock part is on the outside of the hatch that goes against the body... There's a little "arm" type thing that you should be able to lock and unlock with your finger.

If it's locked now, move it to the other position, which should be unlocked... And try to see if it'll open.

If you're talking about the handle on the hatch that's not working... There should be a bar on the inside that runs from the handle down to the mechanism... You should be able to operate it from inside to make it work.

If this doesn't make sense. I'll try snapping some pictures after work.

[m715]

The first picture is of the "arm" everyone has been talking about that you can use to lock/unlock the latch with. In the center of the second picture, the rod running from top to bottom of the access hole of the hatch attaches the outside handle to the latch assy. Push down on the rod, it should open unlessit is rusted fast. If it is, you will have to start soaking the latch with penetrating oil until you can get it to break loose. They do that in rust country if they were not kept lubed up, and the hatch was not used much. This is no fun!

Michael

[m715]

Oh, I almost forgot. You can buy the adapters, etc at Circuit Citys', Crutchfields', and Ebay off the net. Just about all the major electronics Etailers carry them for the most part.

[Seth]

i had this problem. at first i thought it was my latch. once i finally got that loose. i realized the whole hatch was rusted down! so i gave it a nice kick from the inside and viola! my hatch doesnt latch no more. haha.

either way. i have a new latch for it but never got around to putting it on. i think i want to just get poppers and shave it all around. the only thing left to shave is the driver side door.

[leapin]

This just happened to me...i just unlocked it and grabbed the handle and gave'r the reefin of a lifetime. The car was rockin but after a while she let go.

[SimonTuffGuy]

I use PB Blaster for my penetrating oil... It's worked on all of my Jeep's rusted bolts and that should say something about it.

[MeeMo]

OK, so I push down on that lever. From the sound of it it may well be stuck or rusted shut. The gate has not been opened in probably a few years, so says PO. Since I have lots of PB Blaster, I know my next course of action. Thanks guys!!