Rear Hatch issue

[DrMaxwellEdison]

Before you ask, yes I searched....

I'm working on fixing up my 90LX (which is why I'm selling the parts L-plus) and I'm having an issue with the rear hatch not opening... I originally thought that the hatch was locked (grabbed the key and tried to unlock but nothing) so I removed the lock cylinder to diagnose and that didn't help.... now I'm trying to detach the striker assembly with no luck... note there is no way of opening the hatch to just take it off and pull it apart... I'm at a stand-still

[wybnrml]

I would try to sit in the back area and take off the gray panel that is on the inside of the hatch, I think it's held on with 10 clips. Once you have the panel off you should be able to see the rod that goes from the handle to the latch, push down on that rod and see if you can open it.

[DrMaxwellEdison]

I tried that....

[DrMaxwellEdison]

it didn't quite work... still wont open

[doylerl]

Is the locking mech. still attached? I believe I read somewhere that you can unlock it by flipping the small lever just under the hatch on the inside. Maybe your key mech. rod came unhooked from it?

[doylerl]

The lever sticking out in this picture is what actually locks the hatch:


In this photo the hatch is closed and it is directly in the center:


Push it one way or the other with your finger or a screwdriver or something and it will lock or unlock it depending on which way you move it.

Good luck and let us know how it works!

[blkfordsedan]

Cut the striker assy from the inside with a sawzall? Should be able to slip the blade between the hatch and the door jam, if your careful.

[DrMaxwellEdison]

looking into buying a new hack saw blade because I don't own a sawzall... pricinpal is the same though

[htchbck]

From inside the hatch can you get a 10mm box wrench onto the nuts that hold the striker plate? When I bought my '91L it had been backed into a pole and some things got bent and I had to just take off the striker plate so I could open the hatch and get the repairs. Takes a while but it beats cutting things up if you can get to the bolts.

[Pu241]

looking into buying a new hack saw blade because I don't own a sawzall... pricinpal is the same though

Don't waste capital on a new blade, sharpen the one you got!

Seriously cutting the the striker is a last resort.

From the back seat you should be able to dis-engage the lock by pushing/pulling one of the rods attached to it.
You might have to push the hatch down while doing it.
There could be tension on the lock mechanism from say a bent hatch or an object wedged into the hatch somewhere. Anyway pushing down should relieve enough pressure such that the mechanism will now function.
Maybe have someone push down form outside the hatch.

Can you get us pics of the inside of the hatch behind the grey panel, maybe some one could identify the correct rod.

[TominMO]

From the back seat you should be able to dis-engage the lock by pushing/pulling one of the rods attached to it.
You might have to push the hatch down while doing it.
There could be tension on the lock mechanism from say a bent hatch or an object wedged into the hatch somewhere. Anyway pushing down should relieve enough pressure such that the mechanism will now function.
Maybe have someone push down from outside the hatch.

Can you get us pics of the inside of the hatch behind the grey panel, maybe some one could identify the correct rod.

I came across this problem on a car I was checking out for Brian a couple months ago. I could even push that rod back and forth, but the mechanism still wouldn't open for some reason. Maybe rusted in place? but that seems odd. Hopefully he will find a way.

[htchbck]

On mine the striker was pushed back just enough that the latch hung up in the half open position and the only way to open it was to remove the striker. Once the body was hammered back out around the bottom of the hatch everything worked fine. Good luck on it!

[DrMaxwellEdison]

checked it out today a little closer... it's rusted solid... I can't get the 10mm bolts to turn so I'm cutting the striker and removing them from the outside... I think I can scrounge up another striker assembly... I'll just need a new lock cylinder...